Blog #9: Guatemala Ends River Blindness

Summary: "Onchocera vulvulus", or river blindness is a disease that stems from a worm, which infected the Heuhuetango Department of Guatemala. This disease is not fatal but it handicaps your eyesight for the rest of your life. For several years this worm has been a part of a study done by the Journal of Parasitology Research. In order to eradicate such a parasite the Guatemalan Ministry of Health had to reach out to it's international partners for help. Organizations like the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization helped in Guatemala's time of need. The WHO help deliver over 22 rounds of mass treatment, which affected 85% of their target population. Huehuetango is not the only endemic location making progress. In 2011, Colombia eliminated river blindness throughout the entire country. This gives a positive hope for the people of Guatemala and for future countries if they should come in contact with the parasite.

Analysis: The parasite is transmitted to humans by a black fly bite and once inside your body the worms will mate and produce thousands of offspring. These offspring can go all throughout the body but can also end up in the tissues of the eye, which causes blindness. It isn't a fatal disease but one that can affect a family in major ways. Children could be left to work and provide for the family, Adults would have a hard time doing things they used to, and would be very challenging to find any sort of job. So this is important for the well-being of the Guatemalan people that we eliminate this disease once and for all. I think that if we support the organizations and give a little money we could see really change. The outcome of eliminating this disease in Guatemala is showing to be a positive situation, and that has to make the people there feel much more safe. Plus, water without parasites will be a great thing! You don't have to wonder if you will go blind the next time you jump in a river or stop by a stream. This is the peace of mind Huehuetango can't wait to have and I'm positive that this will be eliminated !

http://healthmap.org/site/diseasedaily/article/water-without-worms-guatemalan-department-ends-river-blindness-121112