Onchocerciasis Control in the WHO African Region: Current Stuation and Way Forward
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Abstract
1. Africa accounts for 99% of the river blindness cases in Africa and South America. The WHOAfrican Region has recorded unprecedented success in the control of onchocerciasis (riverblindness). However, the Region risks the loss of over US$ 2.5 billion investments from endemiccountries and their development partners. Countries which have maintained active control andsurveillance of disease also risk the loss of significant economic development and alleviation ofpoverty.2. Due to conflict, irregular budgetary allocation from national financing mechanisms, the coendemicityof onchocerciasis and loiasis, and poor surveillance, 13 countries still have highdisease prevalence and reservoirs of Onchocerca volvulus infection. There is danger of resurgenceof disease because of the long flight range of the vector blackfly known to transmit cross-borderinfection.Citation
Regional Committee for Africa, 57. (2007). Onchocerciasis Control in the WHO African Region: Current Stuation and Way Forward. WHO. Regional Office for Africa. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/92255