- WHO Confirms Niger’s River Blindness Elimination
- Niger Sets Precedent in Africa by Eradicating Onchocerciasis
- Historic Milestone: Niger Eliminates River Blindness
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Niger as the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. This achievement makes Niger the fifth country in the world to interrupt the transmission of the Onchocerca volvulus parasite.
Praising Niger’s dedication, the WHO Director-General described the elimination of river blindness as a significant milestone that requires tireless effort. He highlighted the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens from this debilitating disease and emphasized the broader progress being made in tackling neglected tropical diseases.
River blindness is spread through the bites of infected black flies, mainly affecting rural communities near rivers in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease causes severe itching, skin disfigurement, and vision loss, leading to reduced quality of life and economic hardship. Niger’s success is the result of decades of sustained efforts. Between 1976 and 1989, a large-scale vector control program was implemented to reduce black fly populations. Later, the introduction of ivermectin donations made mass drug administration possible from 2008 to 2019. These interventions significantly reduced disease prevalence from about 60% to nearly zero.
Strong collaboration between the Nigerien government, health organizations, and non-governmental partners played a crucial role in achieving this goal. Continuous monitoring and strategic adjustments ensured the effectiveness of interventions. With this achievement, Niger joins a small group of countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico, that have successfully eliminated onchocerciasis. This milestone demonstrates that with sustained efforts and global cooperation, other nations can also eradicate neglected tropical diseases.
