The Spectrum of Ocular Diseases in the Onchocerciasis-Endemic Focus of Raga in South Sudan.

Introduction: Raga County is an onchocerciasis-endemic area in the Western Bahr El Ghazal state of South Sudan, known to have a high prevalence of blindness. The objective of this study was to determine the causes of eye disease and blindness in Raga County as well as to assess the relationship of eye diseases with other prevalent conditions like onchocerciasis and epilepsy.

Methods: We reviewed unpublished pre-community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) data about eye disease and onchocerciasis in Western Bahr El Ghazal including Raga.

From 'control to elimination': a strategic change to win the end game.

Strategies for elimination evolve from early use of available tools, to elaboration of control strategies, through to 'elimination.' Onchocerciasis control in Africa demonstrates this evolution. Early strategies used vector control but later used mass distribution of ivermectin.