ONCHOCERCIASIS
IN AFRICA
INNOVATIONS
Mosquito Nets and insect repellent play a large role in preventing the spread of River Blindness. As black flies are a vector for this disease, the best way to prevent it is to prevent fly bites. The only way to prevent this is by using mosquito nets and wearing insect repellents.
Mass distribution of Ivermectin, donated by Merck & Co., Inc., to all people living in many areas where O. volvulus is found is being given to control onchocerciasis. Ivermectin which was approved in 1987 and produced by Merck & Co., Inc. announced it would donate the drug for as long as needed through the Mectizan Donation Program, which works with ministries of health and other partners to distribute the drug. One tablet must be taken annually for 16-18 years to break the cycle of transmission. (World Health Organization. 2016a)
This is an interview with the chief Bondi Sanbark of Beposo 2 village in central Ghana discussing how much of an impact the distribution of ivermectin has made in the lives of his villagers.
Between 1974 and 2002, onchocerciasis was brought under control in West Africa through the work of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), using mainly the spray of insecticides against blackfly larvae (vector control) by helicopters and airplanes. This was supplemented by large-scale distribution of ivermectin since 1989. As OCP wound down, a second major initiative, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) began in 1995, focusing on community-directed mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin in 19 countries. (World Health Organization. 2016a)
While there currently is not a vaccine for river blindness, The Onchocerciasis Vaccine for Africa (TOVA) Initiative has hopes of having a vaccine in phase-two of trials by 2020. (Hotez et al. 2015)
Between 1974 and 2002, onchocerciasis was brought under control in West Africa through the work of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), using mainly the spray of insecticides against blackfly larvae (vector control) by helicopters and airplanes. This was supplemented by large-scale distribution of ivermectin since 1989. As OCP wound down, a second major initiative, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) began in 1995, focusing on community-directed mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin in 19 countries. (World Health Organization. 2016a)
While there currently is not a vaccine for river blindness, The Onchocerciasis Vaccine for Africa (TOVA) Initiative has hopes of having a vaccine in phase-two of trials by 2020. (Hotez et al. 2015)
A final prototype of the new SD BIOLINE Onchocerciasis IgG4 rapid test, manufactured by Standard Diagnostics, Inc. 2014 Togo. Photo: PATH/Dunia Faulx
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Often a major problem with treating river blindness is that there is not a good diagnostic tool for the disease. The traditional test for this disease involves a blood draw and a 24 hour incubation time. In areas with too few doctors and not enough resources it is not realistic to test large numbers of people using this technique. Therefore it can be difficult to see just how effective the eradication programs are. That is where a new device from Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) comes in. This new device can be used to test for river blindness with only a drop of blood in as little as twenty minutes. This new device could revolutionize the way people are tested for river blindness (Chhabra, 2014).