Question

Onchocerciasis or River Blindness: discuss the methods used to control this disease. Why might it be difficult to eliminate or eradicate his disease? Be Specific and use supportive examples to support response be thorough

Answer 1

River blindness or onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease caused by filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus repeated bites of infected blackflies. Symptoms are severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment, including permanent blindness.

There is no vaccine or medication to prevent infection with O. volvulus.

Through the work of  Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) spraying of insecticides against black fly larvae (vector control) by helicopters and aeroplanes was brought under control of the disease. then it has been supplemented by the large-scale distribution of ivermectin since 1989.

Another program was the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) ,  its main strategy has been the establishment of sustainable community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) and vector control with environmentally-safe methods. many countries had drastically decreased the morbidity rate associated with onchocerciasis.

The Onchocerciasis Elimination Program of the Americas (OEPA) is with the objective of eliminating ocular morbidity and interruption of transmission throughout the Americas through treatment with ivermectin. in 2013 Columbia, the first country declared as free of onchocerciasis by WHO. A dose of ivermectin twice per year is usually enough to stop transmission from one person to another. Typically, local volunteers are responsible for administering ivermectin to their specific community. This practice, called mass drug administration or MDA.

Although eliminating the infecting agent from a particular location was once considered as impossible in Africa, the goal is now achievable in some areas. Global eradication is possible in near future also. The main challenges in the eradication of river blindness in Africa are African black flies are more efficient at transmitting the parasite among humans. Also, population migrations, weak health systems, political instability and the long flight range of African black flies present challenges as well.