Title : Onchocerciasis elimination from the America´s
Abstract:
Onchocerciasis is filariasis whose greatest morbidity affects the eyes causing blindness. It is found geographically in fast-flowing rivers. The continent that is the most affected is Africa and it is also found in 31 countries, becoming endemic. The parasite is Onchocerca volvulus and is transmitted by a
dipteran insect of the genus Simulium.
In the Americas, it is found in 6 countries Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Brazil.
The regional initiative organized by OPS is OEPA ( Onchocerca Elimination Program of America) to achieve the elimination of onchocerciasis in these six countries has been coordinating the actions of the teams formed in each country since 1993.
In the world, it is estimated that around 20 million people suffer from being infected by this parasite.
In the Americas, there were 500 thousand people affected.
This parasitosis is the second cause of infectious blindness in the world, the first corresponds to trachoma.
The purpose of this exhibition is to tell you about the achievements made to date in each of the countries of the Americas and also to demonstrate that fieldwork is possible in a specialty that has become offices, operating rooms, and sophisticated laboratory cabinets.
Rural areas also need our help to combat endemic diseases, but it requires will, passion, and knowledge.
