Suspected cases of river blindness, onchocerciasis, in the Ashanti Region have surged nearly fourfold within 12 months, climbing from 46 cases in 2024 to 160 cases in 2025, the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has reported.
The Directorate also recorded a jump in schistosomiasis, from 298 cases in 2024 to 401 cases in 2025.
Meanwhile, elephantiasis, lymphatic filariasis, continues to decline steadily from 24 cases in 2021 to 11 cases in 2025.
Health authorities attribute the rise in river blindness and schistosomiasis to reduced community participation, poor sanitation, and increased human contact with rivers used for farming, bathing, and washing.
Ahead of the 2026 Mass Drug Administration, Municipal District Assembly exercise, officials called for renewed public education and sustained community action.
By Deborah Adorsu.
