The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulated Niger for meeting the criteria to eliminate onchocerciasis, with the country becoming the fifth globally to halt the transmission of the Onchocerca volvulus parasite.
Previous nations that reached this milestone include Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Hakimi expressed appreciation for the 15 years of effort, which provided the scientific evidence needed for elimination.
WHO's resident representative, Casimir Manengu, praised Niger's commitment, while WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the significance of this achievement, offering hope to other nations still battling the disease.
Onchocerciasis is transmitted through the bite of an infected blackfly, which breeds in fast-flowing rivers, hence the disease is also known as river blindness. The fly picks up immature worms (microfilariae) when it bites an infected person.
These worms develop into larvae inside the fly, which are then transmitted to others during subsequent bites. Once in the human body, the larvae mature into adult worms, forming under-skin nodules.
The disease causes severe skin issues and vision loss, with over 99% of infected individuals living in Africa and Yemen.
To stop transmission, communities must be treated for 10 to 15 years, the lifespan of the adult worms.
Niger's success follows its 2013 certification for interrupting dracunculiasis transmission.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/niger-becomes-first-african-country-to-eliminate-onchocerciasis
