Researchers report onchocerciasis (river blindness) could make a comeback in Northwestern Uganda if annual drug distributions to fight the disease are stopped. The study, conducted in the endemic region of Nyagak-Bondo, showed that while there was a significant reduction in infection after 18 years of community-based treatment with the deworming medication ivermectin, transmission has not been interrupted.
Lead researcher Moses Katabarwa, PhD, of The Carter Center and Emory University and colleagues from the Uganda Ministry of Health found that children born even long after the drug distribution began in 1993 were still getting infected. A substantial number of adults were testing positive for microfilaria (worm larvae) as well.
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