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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Latest News
Mexico is free from human rabies transmitted by dogs
Countries of the Americas commit to a collective approach to eliminating more than 30 diseases
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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