top of page

Onchocerciasis

Etymology:

Gr. ónkos: “a bulk, mass, tumor” + Gr. kérkos: “tail”, so named for the appearance of Onchocerca volvulus under a microscope, which looks like a little mass with a tail attached

Definition:

A disease (also known as river blindness) caused by infection with the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus; common in tropical Africa. Symptoms include severe itching, bumps under the skin, and blindness.

bottom of page