Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis is a chronic parasitic infection that primarily affects the skin and eyes, leading to severe itching, skin disfigurement, and potentially blindness, greatly impacting the quality of life and economic productivity in endemic areas.

Causative Agent and Transmission: Onchocerciasis is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blackflies (Simulium spp.), which breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams, primarily in Africa, as well as in some parts of Central and South America and the Middle East. The blackflies breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams, mostly in remote villages located near fertile land where people rely on agriculture.

Lifecycle and Infection: Once the larvae are transmitted to humans, they mature into adult worms within subcutaneous nodules in the body. These adults can live for up to 15 years. Female worms produce thousands of microscopic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate through the skin and eyes.

Skin Manifestations: The skin becomes heavily infested with the larvae, leading to severe itching, rashes, and skin discoloration. Over time, chronic skin changes such as thickening and loss of elasticity (often called "lizard skin") can occur.

Eye Disease and Blindness: One of the most severe effects of Onchocerciasis is eye disease, which can lead to visual impairment and ultimately blindness. The larvae migrate to the eyes, causing inflammation in different parts of the eye, leading to lesions on the cornea and, eventually, to irreversible blindness.

Nodules under the Skin: The presence of adult worms is often marked by palpable nodules under the skin, usually non-painful. These nodules can be surgically removed to reduce the number of circulating larvae.

Socio-Economic Impact: Like lymphatic filariasis, Onchocerciasis has significant social and economic impacts, especially in affected rural communities. The risk of blindness can hinder the ability to work and lead to increased dependency within communities.

Prevention and Control: Efforts to control Onchocerciasis focus on eliminating the blackfly vector through insecticide spraying and on mass drug administration, mainly with ivermectin, which kills the larvae, and prevents blindness.

Global Health Initiatives: There have been significant efforts by global health organizations to control and aim for the elimination of Onchocerciasis, especially in Africa. These programs have had considerable success in reducing the incidence of the disease and the associated blindness.

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Region Locationsort descending Program stage Years Portrait PDFs Landscape PDFs Data
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2016 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2016 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2017 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2017 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea Endemicity 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2017 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2016 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Eritrea MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Mapping Surveys (Skin Biopsy) 2012 - 2014 Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2016 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2017 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2017 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Mapping Surveys (Nodule Palpation) 2001 - 2012 Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2016 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2017 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Impact Assessment (Skin Biopsy) Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2020 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2019 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2016 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia Endemicity 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Eastern Africa Ethiopia MDA/PC rounds (Geographic coverage) 2013 - 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2015 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon MDA/PC coverage (Therapeutic coverage) 2018 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon Endemicity 2013 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon Endemicity 2022 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon MDA/PC coverage (Geographic coverage) 2014 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon MDA/PC rounds (Therapeutic coverage) 2013 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf
Central Africa Gabon MDA/PC rounds (Historical MDA) 2000 - 2021 Download map png Download map pdf Download map png Download map pdf

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