RIVER BLINDNESS CAN BE WIPED OFF
Jul 23rd, 2009 by admin
According to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), river blindness could be eliminated using drugs. WHO scientists observed three areas in Mali and Senegal where river blindness is widespread, and discovered that after 17 years of regular treatment with the drug ivermectin few infections remained in the community. Subsequent studies showed no further infections. Onchocerciasis or river blindness is caused by a nematode worm which is transmitted to humans through the black fly, causing loss of sight and painful skin conditions. It is endemic in mostly poor, rural parts of Africa. Some 37 million people suffer from the disease
