The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Niger as the first country in Africa to have successfully halted the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite responsible for onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. This groundbreaking achievement makes Niger the fifth country worldwide—and the first in Africa—to meet WHO’s stringent criteria for eliminating this debilitating disease.
« Eliminating a disease is a monumental feat that demands relentless dedication and perseverance, » stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. « I commend Niger for its unwavering commitment to freeing its people from this stigmatizing, poverty-inducing blindness. This triumph underscores the remarkable strides we’ve made in combating neglected tropical diseases and offers hope to nations still battling onchocerciasis. »
River blindness, the second leading infectious cause of blindness globally, is transmitted through the bite of an infected blackfly, typically found near fast-flowing rivers. The disease disproportionately affects rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, though smaller endemic zones exist in Latin America.
Nation-led initiatives and strategic partnerships drive success
Between 1976 and 1989, Niger participated in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in West Africa, a WHO-led initiative that deployed insecticide spraying to drastically reduce transmission rates. Later, thanks to Merck’s (MSD) donation of ivermectin, mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns—combining ivermectin and albendazole—were launched from 2008 to 2019 in areas still grappling with lymphatic filariasis. Since ivermectin is effective against both diseases, and many targeted regions were endemic for onchocerciasis, these efforts also played a pivotal role in halting Onchocerca volvulus transmission.
In 2014, Niger initiated preliminary assessments to confirm the interruption of onchocerciasis transmission, following the scaling back of lymphatic filariasis MDA in most areas. Subsequent entomological and epidemiological surveys confirmed that the combined strategy of vector control and drug distribution had effectively eliminated transmission, evidenced by a dramatic drop in prevalence from approximately 60% to just 0.02%.
The success of Niger’s campaign is also attributable to robust collaboration between the government, WHO, and NGOs. This partnership facilitated resource mobilization, technical support, and continuous monitoring of disease prevalence and impact. Rapid adjustments to strategies ensured interventions remained effective and responsive to evolving needs.
« For generations, onchocerciasis has inflicted immense suffering, » said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. « It has also stifled economic progress by driving communities away from vital water sources that are essential for their livelihoods. Niger’s achievement not only liberates its people from this burden but also sets a powerful example for other African nations pursuing the elimination of neglected tropical diseases. The country has already demonstrated leadership by eliminating dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) in 2013. This milestone is yet another historic step forward. »
Global progress in the fight against neglected tropical diseases
To date, 54 countries worldwide have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. Niger joins a select group of nations where WHO has verified onchocerciasis elimination, including four countries in the Americas: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Guatemala (2016), and Mexico (2015).
Within Africa, 21 countries have eliminated at least one such disease. For Niger, this is its second triumph: it was certified free of dracunculiasis transmission in 2013.
