Geneva, 20 May 2014 (PAHO/WHO) — Officials
from Brazil and Venezuela today signed a memorandum of understanding to
strengthen joint action to eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river
blindness, from the Yanomami area, the last "focus" (known endemic area) in the
Americas, which is shared by both countries.
Minister of Health of Brazil Arthur Chioro and Minister of Popular Power
for Health of Venezuela Francisco Armada signed the agreement during the 67th
World Health Assembly, which is taking place in Geneva this week.
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F.
Etienne, said the agreement is important for the indigenous communities living
in this area and noted that countries of the Americas have made significant
inroads against river blindness. She pledged PAHO's support for the joint
efforts of Brazil and Venezuela under the new accord.
Onchocerciasis is the second-leading infectious cause of blindness in
the world and disproportionately affects people and communities in poverty. It
is caused by the nematode Onchocerca volvulus,
which is transmitted to humans through the bite of the Simulium mosquito. It can
cause severe skin disease and visual problems that can lead to blindness.
Under their new agreement, Brazil and Venezuela will exchange
experiences in the training of local inhabitants as community health workers
and will form binational humanitarian teams that will also include local residents.
The countries will also coordinate the provision of integrated health care for
affected communities on both sides of the border.
The accord also includes incentives for health professionals to work in
the border area and provides procedures for guaranteeing access to health
services for indigenous people who may lack civil documents, among other
measures.
In 2013, Colombia was verified as the first country in the world to
eliminate transmission of onchocerciasis. Transmission of the disease has now
been interrupted in 11 of the 13 focus areas in the America; currently only
20,495 people in Brazil and Venezuela need continuous treatment. The
antiparasitic drug ivermectin has been donated to affected countries by the global
Mectizan® Donation Program. Minimum coverage with twice-yearly mass treatment
has been maintained in the 13 focus areas since 2002.
Facts about onchocerciasis