1. A parasitic disease caused by infection with the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted by blackflies and characterized by skin lesions, itching, and potential blindness.
Usage: medical term; also called river blindness; primarily affects tropical and subtropical regions

Examples

• Onchocerciasis is endemic in parts of Africa, Yemen, and Latin America.
• The disease onchocerciasis can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
• Public health organizations work to eliminate onchocerciasis through mass drug administration programs.
• Blackflies are the primary vectors responsible for transmitting onchocerciasis to humans.
• Symptoms of onchocerciasis include severe itching and nodules under the skin.
• River blindness, or onchocerciasis, affects millions of people in developing countries.