infections
Onchocerciasis
Prevention of Onchocerciasis
The following may help reduce the chances of being bitten by a blackfly and thus reduce the risk of onchocerciasis: Avoiding fly-infested areas Wearing protective clothing Liberally using insect repellents Ivermectingiven once or twice a year dramatically reduces the number of microfilariae, prevents the development of further disease, and helps control the infection in people who are repeatedly exposed to it. This community-based preventive approach has been used in areas where onchocerciasis is common. 