What Is Horse River Blindness?

It is transmitted through repeated bites by blackflies of the genus Simulium. The disease is called river blindness because the blackfly that transmits the infection lives and breeds near fast-flowing streams and rivers, mostly near remote rural villages.

Does river blindness go away?

River blindness is not currently eradicable, but because the worms infect only humans, the disease can be eliminated in certain regions through annual or semi-annual treatment with the drug ivermectin.

Does ivermectin prevent river blindness?

It is believed that ivermectin (a microfilaricide) could prevent blindness due to onchocerciasis. However, when given to everyone in communities where onchocerciasis is common, the effects of ivermectin on lesions affecting the eye are uncertain and data on whether the drug prevents visual loss are unclear.

How do I know if I have river blindness?

Infected persons may be without symptoms. Those with symptoms will usually have one or more of the three manifestations: skin rash (usually itchy), eye disease, and nodules under the skin. The most serious manifestation consists of lesions in the eye that can lead to visual impairment and blindness.

How long has ivermectin been used to treat river blindness?

Ivermectin has been widely used for 30 years to combat onchocerciasis and is rightly considered a wonder drug.

Is there a vaccine for river blindness?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent infection, and current treatment options can bring about fatal side effects.

Is river blindness contagious?

Is onchocerciasis contagious? Onchocerciasis is not contagious person to person. Transmission of the disease is through the bite of female blackflies (usually occurring during the daytime near rapidly flowing rivers and streams). Multiple bites are usually needed before being infected.

Is vision loss from ivermectin permanent?

Blindness associated with ivermectin intoxication is usually ephemeral and anecdotally, recovery is anticipated in 2-8 days [27], although the precise recovery time is unknown. Typically recovery is often prolonged and may take days to weeks [14].

What is the best drug of choice for river blindness?

The recommended treatment is ivermectin, which will need to be given every 6 months for the life span of the adult worms (i.e., 10–15 years) or for as long as the infected person has evidence of skin or eye infection.

Who is most likely to get river blindness?

More than 99% of infected people live in 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali,

How is river blindness caused?

Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted through repeated bites by blackflies of the genus Simulium.

How do you catch river blindness?

River blindness is spread by the bite of infected flies that breed near fast-flowing rivers.

What happens in river blindness?

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a disease caused by infection with the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. Symptoms include severe itching, bumps under the skin, and blindness. It is the second-most common cause of blindness due to infection, after trachoma.

What does ivermectin do to your eyes?

According to University of Michigan Health, oral ivermectin can cause eye-related symptoms such as: Eye pain. Eye redness. Puffy eyes.

Where does ivermectin naturally occur?

Ivermectin –which now is used to fight pests from bed bugs and lice to serious diseases such as lymphatic filariasis – was derived from naturally occurring bacteria in soil.

What countries have river 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.

Can dogs get river blindness?

What is it? Onchocerca lupi is a parasite that can infect dogs, cats, and humans. It is related to the parasite Onchocerca volvulus which causes River Blindness in people in Africa and Central and South America.

How common is river blindness?

Onchocerciasis, commonly called river blindness, is a parasitic disease particularly prevalent in Africa, where more than 99 percent of all cases occur. In total, 30 countries are infested, ranging from Senegal across to Ethiopia in the north and as far south as Angola and Malawi.

Is river blindness a virus or bacteria?

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as “river blindness”, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment, including permanent blindness.

What is river blindness and how is it treated?

Ivermectin is the most commonly used to treat river blindness. It kills the larvae but not mature worms, so it needs to be taken every six months for the worm’s life span, which is 10 to 15 years. Doxycycline, which can kill adult worms, may be prescribed after ivermectin treatment is completed.

What is the incubation period for river blindness?

Clinical presentation
Onchocerciasis may remain asymptomatic, or progress to various clinical manifestations. Incubation period is 1-2 years on average, but can be as long as 4 years.