Mass Treatment of Onchocerciasis With Ivermect at Bebeka Coffee Plantation in Ethiopia

Abstract

A longitudinal study of mass treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin is going on at Bebeka Coffee Plantation in Ethiopia. In this paper we report findings of a pilot study conducted at the initial stage of the project to assess safety and feasibility of launching mass-therapy using this drug. Of 2083 persons examined between 23 and 30 April 1990, in two sub-localities, Berhane and Olme, in Bebeka Coffee Plantation, 826 (39.7%) persons were diagnosed as cases of onchocerciasis by clinical and skin snip examinations. Ivermectin was then administered to 640 persons eligible for treatment. Following treatment no severe adverse reactions were observed and only 51 cases, (8%), sought treatment for mild to moderate mazzoti type reactions and 7 of them (1%) had temporary incapacitation. In addition, 27 cases were systematically selected, among those treated on the first and second day, and examined daily for 4 days and pattern of adverse responses were noted. Over all therapy was well accepted.