Epidemiology of epilepsy in Wulu County, an onchocerciasis-endemic area in South Sudan
Areas with ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis still spreading, like Wulu in Lakes State, still have high rates of epilepsy, with a high proportion also having nodding seizures.
In February 2024, a community-based epilepsy study was conducted Wulu County and participants were surveyed via a door-to-door approach in five villages, namely: Kombi, Makundi Center, Tonjo, War-Pac, and Woko. 1,355 persons were surveyed in the five study sites. The overall CDTi coverage in 2023 was 67.4%. Fifty-five persons with epilepsy (PWE) were identified (prevalence 4.1%) and a history of nodding seizures was noted in 11/55 (20%) PWE. Epilepsy onset frequently occurred under 5 years of age (38.6% of cases). Twenty-nine PWE (52.7%) were taking anti-seizure medicines, but only five were taking them daily. Ov16 seroprevalence in children aged 3–9 years was 15.1% and differed across villages, peaking at 30.9% in Woko village where epilepsy prevalence was also highest (7.1%). Of the 35 recorded deaths during the past two years, 9 (25.7%) occurred in PWE.
High epilepsy prevalence was found in Wulu, particularly in villages with persistent onchocerciasis transmission. Frequent epilepsy onset among under-fives suggests that perinatal/early childhood etiologies are common. Appropriate measures should be instituted to prevent and treat epilepsy in Wulu villages.
This publication relates to R2HC funded study: Innovative approaches to reduce the burden of disease caused by onchocerciasis