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Mexico Conquers River Blindness (Onchocerciasis)

River blindness, also known as onchocercaisis, has been eliminated from within Mexico's borders, as verified by the World Health Organization.

Mexico's Ministry of Health and a coalition of partners led by the Carter Center's Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA) joined forces to ensure that some 170,000 people in the endemic regions of the country are no longer at risk of contracting the disease which causes unbearable itching and can lead to blindness.

Mexico's announcement follows elimination successes by Colombia and Ecuador and brings the world one step closer to wiping out the disease from the Western Hemisphere.

Press release | Newest Victory in Onchocerciasis Elimination: Mexico
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/mexico-100215.html

Learn more about OEPA:
http://www.cartercenter.org/health/river_blindness/oepa.html

Learn more about the Center's River Blindness Elimination Program:
http://www.cartercenter.org/health/river_blindness/index.html

Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in partnership with Emory University, The Carter Center is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. The Center wages peace, fights disease, and builds hope worldwide.