Communities around the Bui Dam in the Bole district of the Northern region have been invaded by black flies suspected to be parasitic nematode Onchocerca volvulus which causes onchocerciasis, or ‘river blindness’.
It serves as the larval host for the nematode and acts as the vector by which the disease is spread.
The parasite lives on human skin and is transmitted to the black fly during feeding.
Residents around Agbelekama, Bui, Dakoyena, Jama among other adjoining communities have called on authorities to intervene before disaster strikes.
The invasion of the black flies have affected farming activities in the area as the flies according to the residents attack them on their farms.
Assembly member of the area, Hon. Samuel Odei in an interview with Nyankonton Mu Nsem said, efforts to bring the situation under control has proved futile.
He said, waste management giant Zoomlion had tried their best to manage the situation but is unable to find solutions.
Source: GhanaWeb
