Niger’s Minister of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs, Garba Hakimi, officially declared that the country is free of onchocerciasis.

Mr Hakimi expressed gratitude for the efforts made over the past 15 years, which provided the scientific evidence necessary for the disease’s elimination in the country.

On the same day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) congratulated Niger on achieving the standard required to eliminate onchocerciasis.

Casimir Manengu, the resident representative of the WHO, commended Niger’s commitment and leadership that enabled the achievement.

“I congratulate Niger on its dedication to freeing its population from this blinding and stigmatising disease, which causes immense suffering among the poorest communities,” WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus said.

“This success stands as further evidence of the significant progress we have made in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.

“By demonstrating that elimination is possible, it offers hope to other countries still battling onchocerciasis today,” he added.

With this landmark achievement, Niger became the first country in Africa to eradicate this disease, which had particularly impacted populations living near certain waterways.

Niger is recognised as the fifth country in the world, the first in Africa, to have successfully halted the transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus.

The other four countries that have reached this milestone are all located in the Americas: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Guatemala (2016), and Mexico (2015).

Onchocerciasis is a parasitic tropical disease that affects the skin and eyes. The disease is spread by repeated bites from infected black flies, and it is most common in those who live in remote villages.

It is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Niger, which was certified to have interrupted the transmission of dracunculiasis in 2013 by the WHO.

(Xinhua/NAN)