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• 1 2019-07-22T11:57:39-07:00 Onchocerciasis 7 plain 2019-07-23T17:00:09-07:00

  Treatment for Onchocerciasis is aimed at mass distribution of the microfilaricidal drug Ivermectin. However, in Africa this technique proves to be ineffective due to the emmigration both in and out of the country by infected individuals. Another approach used in Latin America is large scale vector control through the use of insecticides against the aquatic larvae. More often than not DDT, which is a banned insecticide  in countries like the United States, is used in fumigation procedures to kill the larvae that cause Onchocerciasis. In Latin America fumigation with DDT is common not only for Onchocerciasis but for many diseases. Other pesticides such as Dieldrin is used in other fumigation techniques. In large amounts Dieldrin is known to cause a rapid onset of convulsions that ultimately lead to death. Through prolonged use of insecticides, hormone imbalances are common among animal and human species along with neurological disorders.  

  Population such as the Yanomami and Maiongong Indians that reside in Brazil, suffered from ocular lesions without blindness due to Onchocerciasis. Among the Yanomami population, incidence rates were as high as 47.3%. Onchocerciasis still persists in communities lacking access to preventative measures. Research is often sporadic and lack communication from one another causing repetitiveness within the data that does not do much for progression towards the elimination of Onchocerciasis.