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Onchocerciasis | River Blindness - Frequently Asked Questions

Medically Reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team on Nov 17, 2015


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Doctor Should I Consult for River Blindness / Onchocerciasis?

You should consult an infectious disease specialist for river blindness or onchocerciasis.

2. Which are the Areas where Onchocerciasis is More Common?

Onchocerciasis is prevalent in remote agricultural African regions close to the equator and in Yemen. Some cases have also been noted in the South American countries, Brazil and Venezuela.

3. Why Onchocerciasis is called 'River Blindness'?

Onchocerciasis is called river blindness since it can cause blindness and the blackfly which spreads the parasitic disease breeds in fast-flowing rivers and streams.

4. Will I Contract the Infection if I Visit the Endemic Places for a Short Duration?

No. People get infected after repeated bites of the blackfly and therefore may get infected only if they stay in the endemic regions for prolonged durations.



5. Is there a Vaccine to Prevent Onchocerciasis?

No. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent onchocerciasis.

6. Is Onchocerciasis the Same as Filariasis?

Onchocerciasis, like Loa loa, is a type of filariasis that affects the subcutaneous tissues. Other types of filariasis are serous cavity filariasis which affects the abdominal cavity, and lymphatic filariasis.

7. Is Nodding Syndrome Caused by Onchocerciasis?

Nodding syndrome is a condition that affects the brain and causes drooping of the head and seizure-like activity. Some cases of nodding syndrome have been associated with onchocerciasis, though it is still not clear if onchocerciasis plays a role in the development of nodding syndrome.

8. Is Onchocerciasis Prevalent in India?

No, there are no cases of onchocerciasis in India.

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