Frequency of onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis is still technically regarded as a common disease, although thanks advancing breakthroughs in medicine the rate of infected people yearly is starting to gradually slowly decline. However, although on average it is seen across the globe as a common disease, it is essentially only common in specific/concentrated areas. These are areas consisting of fast-flowing water, as this is where the blackfly that carries the parasite breeds. As the infection spreads further away from the water source, the symptoms become less severe.
Throughout history the frequency rate of this disease has remained relatively constant, compared to other diseases such as the Bubonic Plague which fluctuates between epidemics and being virtually non-prevalent. When the disease was first officially and methodically documented in the 1970’s, on a global average 18,000,000 people had contracted the disease. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the number of infected fluctuated marginally between 17, 500,000 – 18,000,000. In today’s 21st century a slightly less number of 17,000,000 people are infected with. We can conclude from this information that the disease continues to remain at a stable, common level; but in 10-30 years it can be predicted that thanks to increased medical awareness Onchocerciasis will be becoming increasingly rarer.
Throughout history the frequency rate of this disease has remained relatively constant, compared to other diseases such as the Bubonic Plague which fluctuates between epidemics and being virtually non-prevalent. When the disease was first officially and methodically documented in the 1970’s, on a global average 18,000,000 people had contracted the disease. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the number of infected fluctuated marginally between 17, 500,000 – 18,000,000. In today’s 21st century a slightly less number of 17,000,000 people are infected with. We can conclude from this information that the disease continues to remain at a stable, common level; but in 10-30 years it can be predicted that thanks to increased medical awareness Onchocerciasis will be becoming increasingly rarer.
Picture showing a young boy leading two visually impaired/blind adults (Africa)