The distribution of the Simulium damnosum complex in Sierra Leone and its relation to onchocerciasis.

Because of the paucity of literature concerning onchocerciasis and its vectors in Sierra Leone, new information of the geographical distribution of the Simulium damnosum complex is presented in the context of a comprehensive review of what is known generally about S. damnosum s.l. in Sierra Leone, and how the data relate to the transmission of onchocerciasis. Neither biting adults nor breeding sites have been found on the coastal plain and Freetown peninsula, and these area seem to be free from infestation. Throughout the rest of the country S. damnosum s.l. breeds extensively in all the major river systems. The close proximity of the major rivers to one another facilitates inter-river migration, and ensures that most villages are well within the fly's dispersal range. In accordance with this, onchocerciasis is widespread throughout Sierra Leone and vector biting has been recorded away from riverine breeding sites. Seven cytospecies have been recorded in Sierra Leone but of these S. sirbanum and S. damnosum s.str. are rare outside the far north, in the narrow savanna belt. Simulium squamosum and S. yahense are widely distributed, although S. squamosum is somewhat less common than S. yahense which unexpectedly occurs in large rivers of the forest and savanna as well as small forest streams. Simulium sanctipauli has been found in the south-east of the country, where the forest is most dense, whereas S. soubrense occurs farther north. A new species referred to as S. soubrense 'B' is restricted to the south and west of the country. Over most of Sierra Leone onchocerciasis shows a 'forest' epidemiology and is transmitted by 'forest' vector cytospecies. However, data from the narrow savanna belt in the extreme north are sparse.