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Onchocerciasis

01-02-2025

10:34 PM

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1 min read
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Onchocerciasis Latest News

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Niger for having met the criteria for onchocerciasis elimination.

About Onchocerciasis

  • It is commonly known as “river blindness” which is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). 
  • It is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus.
  • Symptoms of Onchocerciasis: Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment, including permanent blindness.
  • Transmission of Onchocerciasis: It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blackfly of the genus Simulium, which breeds in fast-flowing rivers and streams. 
  • The disease primarily affects rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa, and Yemen, with smaller endemic areas foci found in parts of Latin America.
  • Treatment for Onchocerciasis: Population-based treatment with ivermectin (also known as mass drug administration or MDA) is the current core strategy to eliminate onchocerciasis, with a minimum requirement of 80% therapeutic coverage. 
  • Five countries have been verified by WHO as free of onchocerciasis: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Mexico (2015) and Guatemala (2016), and one in Africa: Niger (2025).

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases?

  • These are a diverse group of tropical infections which are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
  • They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms (helminths).
  • There are a diverse group of 20 diseases that are affecting more than 1 billion people who live in impoverished communities.

Onchocerciasis FAQs

Q1: What is the cause of onchocerciasis?

Ans: It is caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus 

Q2: What is the best treatment for onchocerciasis?

Ans: Ivermectin, an oral antiparasitic medication

Q3: What is another name for onchocerciasis?

Ans: River blindness

Q4: Why is onchocerciasis called river blindness?

Ans: The disease is commonly known as "river blindness" because the larvae of the blackfly vectors breed in fast flowing rivers.

Source: WHO