Cause of Onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis or more commonly referred to as “river
blindness” is an infectious, non-contagious, parasitic disease. It is caused by
the worm Onchocerca volvulus - a
thread-like roundworm belonging to the Filarioidea
type (a super-family of parasitic worms in which the adult females deposit
larvae in body tissues). The Onchocerca volvulus worm inhabits the
tissue underneath the skin of all primates - mostly humans. Specifically, it is
the death of the adults Onchocerca
volvulus that causes the major symptoms of Onchocerciasis. This disease is
caused in tropical/sub-Saharan climates where the blackfly (the vector)
thrives.
Picture showing adult Onchocerca volvulus underneath a miscroscope