Niger Becomes First African Country to Eliminate Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | Niger becomes the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis (river blindness). |
| Date of Recognition | January 30, 2025. |
| WHO Role | Verified the elimination of onchocerciasis in Niger. |
| Background of Onchocerciasis | Caused by parasitic worm transmitted through blackfly bites; leads to severe itching, rashes, and blindness. |
| Global Context | Niger joins Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico in eliminating the disease. |
| Niger's Progress | Disease prevalence reduced from 60% to 0.02% by 2014. |
| Key Strategies | - Aerial insecticide spraying (since 1976). - Mass distribution of Ivermectin (donated by Merck & Co.). - Community-directed treatment (since 1995). |
| WHO Programmes | - Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) started in 1976. - African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) started in 1995. |