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Elimination of River Blindness - Niger
December 10 , 2025
15 hrs 0 min
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- Niger became the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis, confirmed by the WHO.
- Onchocerciasis, also called river blindness, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus.
- The disease spreads through bites of infected Simulium blackflies that breed near fast-flowing rivers.
- Most global cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller areas in Brazil and Venezuela.
- The disease causes severe itching, skin changes, eye damage, and can lead to permanent blindness.
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