Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is the world’s second-leading infectious cause of blindness. It is caused by parasitic worms that are transmitted through the bite of the black fly. The flies live in fast-flowing rivers along fertile banks where farming communities are often located. Working alongside these rivers increases the risk of getting the disease; abandoning the fertile land means disastrous socioeconomic effects. In Africa, 37 million people are infected with onchocerciasis, and 89 million are at risk of infection. Blindness is accompanied by skin deformation as well as severe itching.

An annual dose of the drug Mectizan® (ivermectin), generously donated by Merck & Co., Inc., prevents symptoms for one year, but must be given to 65% of community members for 15-20 years to eliminate this affliction as a public health problem. HKI builds capacity of health staff and encourages communities to take responsibility for their health by providing them with training, information and education about preventing and treating the disease and guidance in distributing Mectizan®.