The Magnitude of River Blindness

What is the magnitude of the problem?

Approximately 17.7 million people worldwide are infected with river blindness; 500,000 are visually impaired; and another 270,000 are blind due to the disease in 37 endemic countries. Approximately 123 million people live in endemic areas worldwide and are therefore at risk of infection; more than 99 percent of those infected live in Africa, and Nigeria is the most river blindness-endemic country in the world.

Fearful of the blinding disease, people abandon rich bottom land near rivers and move to less fertile hillside areas to avoid contact with the insects, contributing to food shortages in some countries. For a long time in coffee-producing countries like Guatemala and Mexico, contracting onchocerciasis was considered an occupational hazard for coffee harvesters because their work often brought them near the fast-flowing streams where the black flies breed.

In Africa, onchocerciasis has an enormous economic impact, preventing people from working, harvesting crops, receiving an education, or taking care of children.

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Health Programs

River Blindness Program