AFRICA SET TO TACKLE RIVER BLINDNESS SCOURGE

The World Health Organisation/African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control has called on all stakeholders in the health sector to channel their efforts toward tackling river blindness scourge in Africa.
A statement by the organisation’s Media Consultant, Mr. Paul Ejime, said President Goodluck Jonathan, would on Tuesday (today) declare open the three-day meeting of the board of WHO/APOC.
River blindness is a parasitic worm disease transmitted to humans by black flies that breed in fast-flowing rivers and in valleys, mostly in remote communities inhabited by the poor.
The disease is endemic in 30 African countries where 120 million people are at risk, including an estimated 31 million people in 31 of Nigeria’s 36 States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.