Niger becomes 1st African country to eliminate onchocerciasis

Source: News on Air

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: Niger has officially become the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis (river blindness), as declared by the government and verified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

About Niger becomes 1st African country to eliminate onchocerciasis:

• What is Onchocerciasis? Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted by infected blackflies breeding near fast-flowing rivers.

• Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted by infected blackflies breeding near fast-flowing rivers.

• Vector: Simulium blackflies found near rapidly flowing rivers and streams.

• Origin:

• Over 99% of global cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen. Smaller endemic pockets exist on the Brazil–Venezuela border. Onchocerciasis is the second leading infectious cause of blindness, after trachoma.

• Over 99% of global cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen.

• Smaller endemic pockets exist on the Brazil–Venezuela border.

• Onchocerciasis is the second leading infectious cause of blindness, after trachoma.

• Key Features:

• Caused by chronic microfilarial infection producing intense inflammation. Leads to severe itching, disfiguring skin changes (“leopard skin”), and progressive eye damage. Adult worms live 10–15 years, making long-term treatment essential. Community-level morbidity includes blindness, reduced productivity, and increased poverty risk.

• Caused by chronic microfilarial infection producing intense inflammation.

• Leads to severe itching, disfiguring skin changes (“leopard skin”), and progressive eye damage.

• Adult worms live 10–15 years, making long-term treatment essential.

• Community-level morbidity includes blindness, reduced productivity, and increased poverty risk.

• Symptoms:

• Skin: severe itching, rashes, skin thickening, depigmentation. Eyes: lesions leading to impaired vision and eventual permanent blindness. Nodules: firm subcutaneous lumps containing adult worms. Early infection in children is linked to epilepsy in certain regions.

• Skin: severe itching, rashes, skin thickening, depigmentation.

• Eyes: lesions leading to impaired vision and eventual permanent blindness.

• Nodules: firm subcutaneous lumps containing adult worms.

• Early infection in children is linked to epilepsy in certain regions.

• Treatment: The primary treatment is Ivermectin (Mectizan), given once or twice yearly for 10–15 years.