Q: Which Doctor Should I Consult for River Blindness / Onchocerciasis?
A: You should consult an infectious disease specialist for river blindness or onchocerciasis.
Q: Which are the Areas where Onchocerciasis is More Common?
A: 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.
Q: Why Onchocerciasis is called ‘River Blindness’?
A: 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.
Q: Will I Contract the Infection if I Visit the Endemic Places for a Short Duration?
A: 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.
Q: Is there a Vaccine to Prevent Onchocerciasis?
A: No. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent onchocerciasis.
Q: Is Onchocerciasis the Same as Filariasis?
A: 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.
Q: Is Nodding Syndrome Caused by Onchocerciasis?
A: 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.
Q: Is Onchocerciasis Prevalent in India?
A: No, there are no cases of onchocerciasis in India.
