[African programme for onchocerciasis control (APOC): entomological aspects of Onchocerca volvulus transmission by Simulium neavei in the Basin of Sankuru (Eastern Kasai, Democratic Republic of Congo)].

: As part of a study to evaluate the long-term impact of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), baseline entomological data on the transmission of onchocerciasis in the forest zone of the Eastern Kasai Province were collected from July 1998 to January 1999. Species of the Simulium neavei complex were the only vectors found in the site during the study. Nuisance activity was low with a mean biting rate of only 32.5 bites/man/day. The mean parturity rate was 29.4%, the mean rate of infected females was 14.5% and the mean number of infective Onchocerca larvae per 1000 parous flies was 659. These findings clearly show that the S. neavei population at the study site has high vector capability and constitutes a large microfilarial reservoir. The entomological features found in the study area are consistent with a hyper-endemic zone.