Health authorities in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region have stepped up public education and treatment efforts after more than 300 residents tested positive for elephantiasis during a recent screening exercise.
Dr. Vera Serwaa Opoku, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), disclosed that 328 out of 4,954 people screened within six months in 2025 were confirmed to have the infection. She noted that medication has already been administered to affected individuals.
According to Dr. Opoku, while the disease can be treated, patients are expected to undergo a treatment process lasting about two years from the start of medication. She emphasized that early detection is key to managing the condition effectively.
Elephantiasis, medically known as lymphatic filariasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites. The infection can lead to severe and permanent swelling, skin thickening, and other complications, often resulting in physical disability and social stigma.
Dr. Opoku urged residents to adopt preventive measures, including sleeping under insecticide-treated nets and keeping their surroundings clean by clearing weeds and desilting gutters. She explained that infected mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water, bushy areas, and open drains, and are most active during the evening and early morning hours.
She advised individuals who notice unusual swelling or related symptoms to seek prompt medical attention at the nearest health facility. Health officials believe that sustained public education and environmental sanitation will play a crucial role in curbing further spread of the disease in the municipality.
