River Blindness

River Blindness (or Onchocerciasis) is a worm infection that may lead to irreversible blindness.

The Cause

River Blindness is particulary prevalent in Africa, where some communities travel to the local rivers. It is here that the parasitic worms are transmitted to humans through the bite of the Simulium (black) Fly. The worms then migrate to the eye where they destroy the optic nerve.

Prevention

Nigerian women washing clothes

While the infection can be treated, the blindness once occurred, is irrevocable.

Treatment

The drug Mectizan is used to kill the offspring of adult worms and to slow down the reproduction rate, resulting in fewer worms reaching the eyes.

Reaching everyone in need of Mectizan is often difficult and, at times, dangerous. Projects are often located in remote rural areas.

In 2005 we reached 3,355,403 onchocerciasis patients, of whom 2,891,135 were treated with Mectizan. CBM was able to do this via partnership projects and aims to continue doing so with the donations that our supporters make.