Cameroon poised to fight onchocerciasis

A campaign to fight against onchocerciasis also known as river blindness has officially been launched this August 2nd in Bafoussam with the distribution of mectizan by the regional delegate of public health, Chimun Daouda.

This launch comes after health personnel underwent a series of training sessions on the sensitization and distribution of mectizan aimed at protecting the population from river blindness.

This campaign is expected to be done from door to door and has as ambition, reaching at least 80% of the population.

The drug is meant for every one except children below the age of 5, pregnant women and women who have been breastfeeding for less than 7days.

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and is transmitted to humans through exposure to repeated bites of infected blackflies of the genus Simulium. Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment, including permanent blindness.
More than 99% of infected people live in 31 African countries.