Situation and vulnerability
Simulia breed in fast streams. Rural populations in some areas of Africa, Yemen and Latin American households are affected.
Signs and limits of their interpretation
Intense itching, skin changes and subcutaneous nodules are possible. Eye lesions may threaten the sight; isolated itching is not diagnostic.
Diagnosis and monitoring
Describe the stays and exhibitions near the water courses. The assessment should consider skin manifestations and eye damage separately; this sheet does not confirm infection.
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Prevention and care
Repeated treatment programs and vector control are designed to interrupt transmission. A change of vision must be assessed; individual treatment is the responsibility of a professional.
Practical issues
Why do programs repeat treatments for years?
Adult worms live for a long time and produce microfilaries. WHO describes extended programmes to stop transmission; this does not mean that everyone has to decide on a treatment schedule alone.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
- Places of life and activities near rivers
- Itching, nodules and visual disturbances
- Participation in treatment programmes
Bring the full minutes and dates. This information facilitates evaluation; its collection must not delay an urgent appeal.
Image generated by artificial intelligence. AI illustration; it does not depict a disease, biological agent or diagnosis.
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Related fact sheets
These sheets share ways or contexts of exhibition in our catalogue. This reconciliation does not establish a differential diagnosis.
Compare Onchocerciasis with associated sheets →
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