By: Henrietta Afful
Niger has made history as the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness. This achievement makes Niger the fifth country globally to be recognized for successfully halting the transmission of the Onchocerca volvulus parasite.
Niger now stands alongside four others in the Americas that have achieved the same feat. They are, Colombia in 2013, Ecuador in 2014, Mexico in 2015, and Guatemala in 2016.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended the West African country for meeting the criteria for onchocerciasis elimination.
He noted that eradicating a disease is no small feat, requiring relentless dedication.
“I congratulate Niger for its commitment to freeing its population from this blinding and stigmatizing illness that causes immense suffering, especially among the most vulnerable,” Dr. Tedros said.
“This success underscores the significant progress we’ve made in fighting neglected tropical diseases and offers hope to other countries still battling onchocerciasis, demonstrating that elimination is within reach” the WHO Director-General added.
To combat onchocerciasis, Niger launched a series of effective vector control measures, including the widespread use of insecticides that significantly reduced the transmission of the disease. These efforts were carried out as part of the WHO’s Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP).
In addition to vector control and the critical medicines donated by Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), Niger’s success can be largely attributed to a strong, collaborative partnership.
The Nigerien government, WHO, and various nongovernmental organizations worked together seamlessly, pooling resources and providing vital technical support. This coordinated effort played a crucial role in the country’s achievement, helping to turn the tide in the fight against the debilitating disease.
Onchocerciasis marks the second neglected tropical disease eliminated in Niger, following its certification as free from Guinea-worm disease (dracunculiasis) transmission in 2013
What is Onchocerciasis?
Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a parasitic disease and the second leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, following trachoma.
The disease is transmitted through the bites of infected black flies, which are primarily found in riverine areas. It predominantly affects rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller endemic areas in parts of Latin America.
