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Onchocerciasis was studied in a hitherto unreported focus of the disease near the lower reaches of the River Volta in the Gold Coast. Previous reports of onchocerciasis in the Gold Coast are mentioned. Surveys were performed in two riverside villages in which 82 per cent. and 68·1 per cent. respectively of those examined showed evidence of onchocerciasis. In the second village 56·6 per cent. of people with microfilariae of O. volvulus in their skins also showed microfilariae in their eyes. The presence of microfilariae in the eye was related to the presence of ocular lesions and to a blindness rate of 7 per cent. of the population. The significance of skin microfilarial counts is discussed. In spite of their inaccuracy these suggest that the development of symptoms of onchocerciasis is related to the degree of microfilarial infestation. The possible role of hypovitaminosis in the development of ocular onchocerciasis is mentioned.
Hughes et al. (1951) studied this question.