Definitions for "River blindness"
Onchocerciasis, a disease caused by a parasitic worm (Onchocerca volvulus) transmitted by biting blackflies (buffalo gnats) that breed in fast-flowing rivers. The adult worms can live for up to 15 years in nodules beneath the skin and in the muscles of infected persons, where they produce millions of worm embryos (microfilariae) that invade the skin and other tissues including the eyes. About 18 million persons are affected, mostly in Africa and also in Yemen and Latin America. Both living and dead microfilariae cause severe itching in the skin and sometimes blindness after many years. Since 1987, the drug ivermectin (brand name: Stromectol) has been provided by the manufacturer (Merck) free of charge. A single oral dose administered once a year prevents the accumulation of microfilariae in persons at risk. No drug suitable for mass treatment can kill the adult worms in the body, and therefore, onchocerciasis cannot be wiped out. The blindness, however, can be eliminated.
see: onchocerciasis
(trachoma) an eye and skin disease caused by a parasitic worm. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of blackflies that breed in fast-flowing streams and rivers. It can cause blindness and severe skin damage. It can be treated with medication