Elimination of Onchocerciasis: Senegal reaches a decisive milestone, with the WHO now in its sights

In Senegal, a significant milestone has been reached in the fight against onchocerciasis, commonly known as "river blindness." Meeting on August 14th, the National Expert Committee on the Elimination of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis reviewed the results of the third year of surveillance in the Falémé and Gambia river basins. The report must now be submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) by December 2026.

This surveillance had a specific objective: to verify that disease transmission did not resume after the cessation of preventive treatments administered to the population. The results are considered particularly encouraging. No signs of renewed transmission were detected in the affected areas.

According to the criteria currently established by the WHO, this data confirms the interruption of the transmission of these two parasitic diseases.

Transmitted by the bite of small black flies that breed near waterways, onchocerciasis can cause severe itching, skin lesions and, in the most serious forms, progressive loss of sight.

This progress is the result of several years of mobilization involving populations, health workers, local communities, national programs, and technical partners.

However, Senegal has not yet obtained official recognition of the elimination of the disease.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene is calling for continued vigilance. The public and healthcare professionals are urged to remain mobilized to preserve the progress made and prevent any resurgence of the disease.

If the application is approved, Senegal will take a major step in its fight against a disease long associated with riverine areas and which can lead to severe eye complications.