The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Niger as the first country in Africa to eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness. This achievement makes Niger the fifth country globally to interrupt the transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus.
“Eliminating a disease is a significant achievement that requires tireless dedication,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I congratulate Niger for its commitment to liberating its population from this blinding, stigmatizing illness that causes so much human suffering among the poorest. This success is yet another testament to the remarkable strides we have made against neglected tropical diseases and offers hope to other nations still battling onchocerciasis, demonstrating that elimination is possible.”
Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bites of black flies, primarily found in riverine areas. It is the second leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, mainly affecting rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller endemic areas in Latin America.
Effective Country-led Efforts and Partnerships
Between 1976 and 1989, Niger implemented vector control measures under the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP), significantly reducing disease transmission. Following the donation of ivermectin by Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns from 2008 to 2019 targeted both onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF).
Niger began preliminary assessments in 2014 after stopping LF MDA in most areas. Entomological and epidemiological surveys confirmed that the combination of medicine and vector control successfully eliminated the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus, reducing prevalence from approximately 60% to 0.02%.
In addition to vector control and medicine donations, a critical factor in Niger’s success was the collaboration between the Nigerien government, WHO, and various nongovernmental organizations. Continuous monitoring and strategic interventions ensured effective disease control and elimination.
“Onchocerciasis has long caused immense human suffering and impeded economic development by forcing people to abandon rivers, which are vital for livelihoods,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Niger’s success ends this burden for its people. It also positions Niger as a model for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases in Africa. The country previously demonstrated its leadership in public health by eliminating Guinea-worm disease in 2013. Today, it takes another historic step forward.”
Global Progress
Niger joins four other countries that have been verified by WHO for eliminating onchocerciasis: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Mexico (2015), and Guatemala (2016). In total, 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
In the WHO African Region, 21 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. Onchocerciasis is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Niger, following its certification as free of Guinea-worm disease transmission in 2013. Niger’s success in eliminating river blindness represents a significant milestone in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases and sets a precedent for other countries striving for disease elimination.
