Nkoranza (B/A) Sept 21, GNA - About 69 communities in the basin of the Black Volta in Nkoranza District of Brong Ahafo are at risk of contracting onchocerciasis (river blindness) due to the presence of black flies that cause the disease.

Mr Amofa Boateng, District Disease Control Officer disclosed this at a review training workshop for 110 onchocerciasis control community volunteers from nine zonal centres in the district. The centres are Akuma, Dromankese, Ahyiayem, Ayerede, Donkro-Nkwanta, Nkwabeng, Bonsu, Busunya and Yefri.

Mr Boateng said people living along the tributaries of the Black Volta are at risk of contracting the disease, as the area is rife with the black flies.

He added that the volunteers are provided with Invermetin (mectizan) drug, which they in turn supply to the people to guard against the disease. More

Mr Boateng said the drug is given to the people once every year and they have been receiving it since 1997.

Mr Peter Paul Anekor, District Surveillance Officer, urged the volunteers to keep accurate record of their activities and to register the people in their communities to help the district health management team in its work.

Mrs Dora Mensah-Sarfo, district public health nurse, reminded the volunteers not to administer the drug to pregnant women, seriously ill persons and nursing mothers so as not to endanger their lives. She advised the people to wear protective clothing at all times to avoid being bitten by the flies.