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Background: The burden of Buruli ulcer in four communities of Ogbaru district, Anambra State, Nigeria was investigated.

Methods: Swabs were collected from the undermined edges of ulcerative lesions. Diagnosis was made by direct smear microscopy according to the WHO guidelines.

Results: Eleven new Buruli ulcer cases were identified. Age of the patients ranged from 4 to 75 years, with a mean age of 15.5 years. Overall, 81.8%of cases presented with one lesion and 18.2% cases with two lesions. The lesions occurred mostly on the leg (91%) and arm (9%). Majority of the lesions (90.9%) were ulcers and males were more infected. The main reasons for not seeking diagnosis and treatment in a hospital were that Buruli ulcer was attributed to witchcraft and the belief that treatment of Buruli ulcer in hospital was ineffective.

Conclusion: Buruli ulcer is prevalent in Ogbaru. Enhanced enlightenment of the populace will be a good measure to infection prevention and control.

Ndubuisi Obiora Nwachukwu