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To control the vector S. damnosum s.l., the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) uses larvicides which are sprayed mainly by air.

Despite the more or less reversible resistance of some species of the S. damnosum complex to the organophosphorus compounds (temephos and chlorphoxim), the Programme has succeeded in finding effective replacement insecticides. These larvicides, which are used in rotation, taking into account the river discharges, blackfly species present, and their susceptibility to the different insecticides, have made it possible to maintain the good results obtained by the Programme.

Through vector control alone, OCP has been able to bring the disease under control in more than 90% of the initial area.

Resettlement is taking place on the fertile lands which were formerly deserted because of onchocerciasis and many socioeconomic development projects are currently being carried out.

The extensions made towards the western and the southern parts of the Programme area and the use of ivermectin, a microfilaricide, will enable these results to be improved further.