Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis, often called river blindness, is a tropical disease caused by a parasite called Onchocerca volvulus, which is transmitted by the bites of infected blackflies. It primarily affects people living near fast-flowing rivers in Africa and parts of Central and South America. The infection can lead to severe itching, skin problems, and ultimately, vision loss or blindness due to damage to the eyes. Treatments are available, including a medication that can eliminate the parasite, but prevention through controlling blackfly populations is crucial to reducing the disease's impact on communities.