A temporary focus of savanna species of the Simulium damnosum complex in the forest zone of Liberia.

Savanna species of the Simulium damnosum complex, the major vectors of the blinding savanna type of onchocerciasis, were considered to be rare in Liberia, until the dry season of 1988. In 1988 they became a serious nuisance, biting people at the Bong iron ore mine within the rain forest zone. S. damnosum s.str. and S. sirbanum were found breeding, in association with S. adersi a non man-biting savanna species, in a stream emerging from the mine's tailings pond. The local forest species were extremely rare in this stream. The water of the stream was characterized by an increased hardness and higher temperatures in comparison with those of natural watercourses in the area. The mass occurrence of flies was probably related to expansions of the tailings ponds, when rich nutrition was provided for the blackfly larvae by the decaying forests submerged by the rising water levels. The phenomenon did not recur in 1989 when only a few savanna flies were caught, and none were seen in the dry season of 1990. Although it is not known why the artificial environment of the tailings ponds was so attractive for the savanna species the events clearly demonstrated that savanna flies seasonally invading the area, possibly aided by the northeasterly harmattan winds, can become established in the rain forest zone if suitable conditions are met. No infections with Onchocerca volvulus were found in more than 1000 flies caught by vector collectors but, after experimental infection with the local forest strain, a few parasites developed to the infective stage. As yet there is no evidence that the occurrence of savanna flies in the rain forest zone of Liberia was of epidemiological significance.