The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially acknowledged Niger as the first country in Africa—and the fifth globally—to meet the criteria for eliminating Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite responsible for river blindness.
« Eliminating a disease is a monumental achievement that demands relentless dedication,» stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. « Niger’s success in freeing its population from this stigmatizing, poverty-driven disease showcases the remarkable progress we’ve made in combating neglected tropical diseases. By proving elimination is possible, Niger inspires other nations still battling river blindness.»
River blindness, or onchocerciasis, ranks as the world’s second leading infectious cause of blindness after trachoma. It spreads through bites from infected blackflies, which thrive near fast-flowing rivers. The disease disproportionately affects rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, though smaller endemic zones persist in parts of Latin America.
country-led initiatives and strategic partnerships drive success
Between 1976 and 1989, under the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP), Niger implemented vector control by spraying insecticides to drastically reduce transmission rates. Following donations of ivermectin from Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD), a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign—combining ivermectin and albendazole—targeted areas still affected by lymphatic filariasis from 2008 to 2019. Since ivermectin also combats onchocerciasis, and many treated regions overlapped with onchocerciasis-endemic zones, this initiative played a crucial role in halting parasite transmission.
Niger initiated preliminary assessments in 2014 to verify onchocerciasis transmission interruption after discontinuing MDA for lymphatic filariasis in most areas. Subsequent entomological and epidemiological surveys confirmed the combined impact of vector control and drug distribution had eliminated transmission, reducing prevalence from about 60% to just 0.02%.
The collaborative effort between the Nigerien government, WHO, and NGOs proved pivotal, mobilizing resources and technical expertise. Continuous monitoring of disease prevalence and impact allowed for real-time strategy adjustments, ensuring interventions remained effective.
« River blindness has plagued communities for generations, draining economic potential by forcing people away from vital water sources,» noted Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. « Niger’s victory ends this suffering for its people and sets a powerful example for Africa in eliminating neglected tropical diseases. This milestone follows the country’s 2013 elimination of Guinea worm disease, further cementing its leadership in public health.»
global progress and regional milestones
Globally, 54 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
Niger joins a select group of five countries certified by WHO for onchocerciasis elimination, all in the Americas: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Guatemala (2016), and Mexico (2015).
Within the WHO African Region, 21 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. For Niger, this is the second such achievement: the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease transmission in 2013.