Climatic effects on the prevalence of the Onchocerca arthropod vector in some rural areas of Southwestern Nigeria

Anong, C. I. N.; Akinboade, O. A.; Adediran, O. A.

Climatic effects on the prevalence of the Onchocerca arthropod vector in some rural areas of Southwestern Nigeria

2016

Anong, C. I. N. | Akinboade, O. A. | Adediran, O. A.

There is increasing alarm and awareness about the health dangerposed by the arthropod vector causing Onchocerciasis. This study was carried out with the aim to throw more light on the prevalence of the arthropod vector, Simulun damnosum. This research enabled us toproffer preventive advice to government and citizens. In carrying out this study, villages around flowing waters were used as sample sites. The method applied was direct observation, coupled with efficientrecording. Atmospheric temperature readings were periodically taken along with the density of the insect population observed under such temperature. The same was done for relative humidity (%), solar radiation (gm-ca/cm2, lum) and luminescence (cd/m2) in relation to the insect population of available FMH at every given period (fly per man hour). Our findings showed that climate conditions influence the reproductive level and numbers of the vector. The wet season is most conducive for the arthropod vector to reproduce and multiply. The humidity is high and temperature seems to be at the average. It is during this period that greater preventive measures need to beintentionally heightened to subdue the dangerous activities of the vector.

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