Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted to humans by black flies (genus Simulium) and can cause severe skin and eye disease, including blindness. The disease is commonly known as "river blindness" because the larvae of the blackfly vectors breed in fast flowing rivers.Onchocerciasis is endemic in Africa, and in 13 foci in six countries of the Americas (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Venezuela), where it was introduced through the slave trade. The transmission has been interrupted or eliminated in 11 of 13 foci of the Americas. As a result of a regional initiative, only about 20,495 people are still in need of continual treatment in Brazil and Venezuela (Yanomami indigenous population). Furthermore, Colombia is the first country in the world to achieve the verification of Onchocerciasis elimination.
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Onchocerciasis - River Blindness
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Mexico is free from human rabies transmitted by dogs
Countries of the Americas commit to a collective approach to eliminating more than 30 diseases
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PAHO | Onchocerciasis - River Blindness | Latest News
- Mexico is free from human rabies transmitted by dogs 2019-11-08
Mexico has become the first country in the world to receive validation from the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem.
- Countries of the Americas commit to a collective approach to eliminating more than 30 diseases 2019-10-01
Ministers of health participating in the 57th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today agreed on a collective approach to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean by the year 2030.
- Health ministers to gather in Washington to set policies, priorities for health action in the Americas 2019-09-23
Health ministers and other high-level delegates from the Americas will open a week-long meeting here on Sept. 30 to discuss health priorities and plans of action at the Pan American Health Organization’s 57th Directing Council .
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- Onchocerciasis: the last challenge 2018-07-25
- At OAS, PAHO Director presents health progress in the Americas and top priorities for the next five years 2018-03-08
- Carissa F. Etienne begins second term as Director of PAHO 2018-02-01
- Dr Carissa Etienne elected for a second term as WHO Regional Director for the Americas 2018-01-23
- PAHO celebrates 115 years of working to enhance health throughout the Americas 2017-12-02
- Dr. Carissa F. Etienne re-elected for second term as PAHO Director 2017-09-27
- Life expectancy in the Americas increases to 75 years 2017-09-26
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- PAHO Executive Committee begins debate on strategies and plans for improving the health of the Americas 2017-06-26
- PAHO Director urges OAS diplomats to support health for development 2017-05-03
- Mexico eliminates trachoma, leading infectious cause of blindness 2017-04-24
- PAHO Director visits Mexico to launch Vaccination Week in the Americas and recognize progress against neglected diseases 2017-04-21
- Unprecedented progress against neglected tropical diseases reported 2017-04-19
- WHO verifies that Guatemala is the fourth country in the world to eliminate transmission of 'river blindness' 2016-12-08
- Directora de la OPS visita Guatemala para extender estrategia de cooperación con el país y celebrar eliminación de la oncocercosis 2016-12-06
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- PAHO Directing Council endorses new strategies to fight malaria, neglected diseases and arboviruses, including Zika 2016-09-29
- Guatemala is the fourth country in the world to eliminate onchocerciasis, known as 'river blindness' 2016-09-26
- At OAS, PAHO Director urges governments to prepare for future epidemics by investing more in health 2016-04-09
- International Coalition Urges Final Push to Eliminate River Blindness from the Americas 2015-09-29
- International Coalition Urges Final Push to Eliminate River Blindness from the Americas 2015-09-29
- PAHO Director's annual report shows the Americas "leading by example" 2015-09-28
- Health ministers of the Americas to agree on key policies and actions to improve health 2015-09-24
- Embajadores de la OEA recibieron informe de Etienne sobre los temas que se abordarán en el 54º Consejo Directivo de la OPS 2015-09-18
- PAHO Director at OAS: Ebola shows need to invest more in health 2015-04-16
- More than 100 million people suffer from one or more neglected infectious diseases in the Americas 2015-02-18
- 2014 Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health 2014-09-29
- PAHO and The Carter Center congratulate Ecuador as second in the Americas to achieve elimination of onchocerciasis (river blindness) 2014-09-29
- Top health officials from throughout the Americas urge action to advance toward universal health coverage 2014-09-29
- 10 vector-borne diseases that put the population of the Americas at risk 2014-04-07
- "Small bites can be big threats," experts warn on World Health Day 2014-04-06
- Half the population of the Americas is at risk of diseases carried by small insects 2014-04-04
- Health in the Americas in 2013: PAHO/WHO Reviews the Year's Work 2013-12-31
- Universal access to eye care could prevent most blindness 2013-10-10
- Health leaders set course for Pan American health action and progress toward universal coverage 2013-10-04
- 'People in the Americas are healthier and stronger' thanks to Pan American cooperation in health, says PAHO Director 2013-09-30
- Colombia is first country in the world to eliminate river blindness 2013-07-29
- PAHO welcomes countries' commitment to eliminate 12 neglected diseases from the Americas by 2015 2013-06-11
- PAHO deputy director describes health progress in the Americas at OAS 2013-05-22
- Progress seen against neglected tropical diseases in the Americas and around the world 2013-01-16
- PAHO Deputy Director urges integrated approach to neglected tropical diseases 2012-11-23
- Innovative public health leaders are honored in special event 2012-09-18
- Countries of the Americas promote integrated action to eliminate neglected diseases 2012-05-15
- USAID Grants PAHO $5 Million to Improve Health in Latin America and the Caribbean 2011-11-21
- Colombia, First Country in the Americas to Eliminate River Blindness 2011-11-16
- Successful Interruption of Onchocerciasis in a Focus in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 2011-06-01
- TDR Wins 2011 Gates Award for Global Health 2011-05-20
- Some Neglected Diseases Could be Eliminated in the Americas, PAHO Paper Says 2011-02-19
- PAHO Recognizes "Winning Global Health Solutions" 2009-12-15
- Health Ministers Set Ambitious Agenda for the Americas 2009-10-02
- Gates Foundation Grant Will Boost Fight against "Neglected" Diseases 2009-02-03
- PAHO, IDB and Sabin refine fight against neglected diseases in Latin America and Caribbean 2008-12-17