The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially acknowledged Niger’s remarkable achievement in eliminating river blindness, marking it as the first nation in Africa—and the fifth globally—to halt transmission of the Onchocerca volvulus parasite.

« Eliminating a disease is a monumental milestone that demands unwavering dedication, » stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. « Niger’s commitment to freeing its people from this stigmatizing, blinding disease—one that disproportionately affects the poorest communities—is truly inspiring. This victory underscores the incredible progress we’ve made in combating neglected tropical diseases and serves as a beacon of hope for nations still battling river blindness. »

River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a parasitic infection and the second-leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide after trachoma. Spread by the bite of infected black flies—commonly found near fast-flowing rivers—it predominantly impacts rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller endemic zones in Latin America.

Country-led strategies and global partnerships drive success

Between 1976 and 1989, Niger participated in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in West Africa, implementing vector control measures such as targeted insecticide spraying to drastically reduce transmission rates. Later, thanks to Merck, Sharpe & Dohme’s (MSD) ivermectin donations, a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign combining ivermectin and albendazole was launched from 2008 to 2019 in regions still grappling with lymphatic filariasis. Since ivermectin also combats onchocerciasis, and many MDA-targeted areas overlapped with onchocerciasis hotspots, this initiative played a pivotal role in breaking the parasite’s transmission cycle.

Niger initiated preliminary assessments to verify onchocerciasis transmission interruption in 2014, following the cessation of MDA for lymphatic filariasis in most regions. Subsequent entomological and epidemiological surveys confirmed the success of integrated drug and vector control efforts, with prevalence plummeting from roughly 60% to just 0.02%.

The collaboration between Niger’s government, WHO, and NGOs was instrumental in mobilizing resources and technical expertise. Continuous disease monitoring and impact assessments enabled real-time strategy adjustments, ensuring interventions remained effective and adaptive.

« River blindness has inflicted immense human suffering and stunted economic growth in affected communities, forcing people to abandon vital riverbanks that sustain their livelihoods, » noted Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. « Niger’s triumph not only liberates its population from this burden but also sets a powerful precedent for eliminating neglected tropical diseases across the continent. The country has already showcased its public health leadership by eradicating Guinea worm disease in 2013, and this achievement cements its status as a global health pioneer. »

Global progress in tackling neglected tropical diseases

Globally, 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.

Niger joins a select group of four countries certified by WHO for eliminating river blindness, all located 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. River blindness is Niger’s second such triumph, following its certification for eliminating Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) in 2013.