High Prevalence of Epilepsy in an Onchocerciasis-Endemic Area in Mvolo County, South Sudan: A Door-To-Door Survey

A 2020 household survey in Mvolo County, South Sudan, revealed a high burden of epilepsy in an onchocerciasis-endemic area. Among 15,699 individuals, 5.1% were suspected of having epilepsy, with 98.1% of those confirmed. The epilepsy prevalence was 50.8 per 1,000, and nodding syndrome prevalence was 22.4 per 1,000. Risk factors included younger age, male gender, skin itching, blindness, and proximity to the Naam River. Ov16 seropositivity among children and low ivermectin uptake indicated ongoing transmission of Onchocerca volvulus. The study calls for urgent strengthening of onchocerciasis elimination efforts to prevent epilepsy in the region.

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