Seven hundred and eighty one (781) subjects from thirty (30) villages in Afikpo North L.G.A., Ebonyi State, Nigeria were
examined clinically for the physical signs of lymphatic filariasis. The medical centres in the area were used. Trained
medical doctors were used in diagnosing for hydrocoeles, hanging groin, elephantiasis (lymphoedema) etc. Hydrocoeles
and lymphoedema were the commonest clinical signs of lymphatic filariasis detected during the survey. The prevalence of
hydrocoeles was found to be 8.23%. Hydrocoele was more frequent among the older people 53years and above, than the
younger ones below the age of 27years. The prevalence of lymphoedema was 8.88%. Males were more affected with the
prevalence rate of 5.55% than females 3.33%. From the study, the subjects affected with lymphoedema and hydrocoeles
were not involved in active village activities like clearing of the roads, paying of their levies and even taking care of their
immediate families because they were no more engaged with active work, due to serious morbidity caused by the infection
Wuchereria bancrofti on the subjects, which leads to the manifestation of hydrocoeles and lymphoeema. With these
results, Afikpo North is said to be endemic with lymphatic filariasis, and should be included by the National Lymphatic
Filariasis Elimination/Control Programmes as one of the areas to be controlled and eliminated with the disease (Lymphatic
filariasis).