RAS question
Which country became the first African nation to eliminate onchocerciasis (river blindness), as verified by the WHO?
Correct answer: (B) Niger.
Niger became the first African country whose elimination of onchocerciasis, or river blindness, was verified by the World Health Organization.
Explanation
WHO verified Niger as having met the criteria for eliminating onchocerciasis, making it the first country in Africa to be acknowledged by WHO for interrupting transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. This matters because onchocerciasis, commonly called river blindness, is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans through bites of infective black flies, including Simulium blackflies. The WHO release also notes that the disease is associated with riverine areas and can cause severe human suffering, including blindness. Niger’s recognition was therefore not a routine health announcement: transmission of the causative parasite had been interrupted, placing Niger ahead of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Nigeria is wrong because WHO verified Niger, not Nigeria, as the first African country to eliminate onchocerciasis.
- (C) Ghana is wrong because WHO gave the first African-country verification to Niger, while Ghana had not received that status.
- (D) Senegal is wrong because WHO acknowledged Niger, not Senegal, for the first African elimination of onchocerciasis.
Concept
This tests current-affairs-linked public health under Science and Technology, especially WHO verification of disease elimination. It recurs in RAS because neglected tropical diseases combine international organisations, disease transmission and recent official milestones.