What Is The Cause Of River Blindness

River blindness is spread by the bite of infected flies that breed near fast flowing rivers.

What is the cause of river blindness. Most of the physical discomforts people experience when they have river blindness happen when the worms die which can happen years after they first become infected. Blindness is the state of being sightless. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of a blackfly simulium species. Treatment of blindness depends upon the cause of the blindness.

Onchocerciasis or river blindness is caused by the tiny parasitic worm o. Symptoms and signs may include eye pain eye discharge or the cornea or pupil turning white. Onchocerciasis or river blindness is a neglected tropical disease ntd caused by the parasitic worm onchocerca volvulus it is transmitted through repeated bites by blackflies of the genus simulium the disease is called river blindness because the blackfly that transmits the infection lives and breeds near fast flowing streams and rivers mostly near remote rural villages. Onchocerciasis is an eye and skin disease caused by a worm filaria known scientifically as onchocerca volvulus.

This worm is transmitted by fly bites typically from the notorious blackfly that breeds in rivers which is where the disease s name originates. Deemed as the second greatest cause of infectious blindness this disease is called river blindness because the black fly which transmits the disease usually breeds in free lowing water such as rivers or streams. Causes of blindness include macular degeneration stroke cataract glaucoma infection and trauma. Onchocerciasis also known as river blindness is a disease caused by infection with the parasitic worm onchocerca volvulus.

Volvulus which is passed on to humans after being bitten by an infected blackfly. River blindness also called onchocerciasis is a disease brought about by a small worm known as onchocerca volvulus commonly transmitted by an infected black fly that usually attacks the eyes. Read on to learn more about this condition. Symptoms include severe itching bumps under the skin and blindness.

Within the human body the adult. River blindness which is referred to medically as onchocerciasis is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. That s where the name river blindness comes from. It causes severe skin irritation itching and eventually irreversible blindness.

The disease s connection to rivers gave rise to the term river blindness. These flies breed in fast flowing streams and rivers increasing the risk of blindness to individuals living nearby hence the commonly known name of river blindness. This type of blackfly is found near rivers and streams. River blindness or onchocerciasis is a parasitic infection spread by flies that live near fast flowing rivers.

The parasite worm is spread by the bites of a black fly of the simulium type.