onchocerciasis

American  

[ong-koh-ser-kahy-uh-sis] / ˌɒŋ koʊ sərˈkaɪ ə sɪs /

Also onchocercosis

noun

Pathology.

1. an infestation with filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca, common in tropical America and Africa, transmitted by black flies, and characterized by nodules under the skin, an itchy rash, eye lesions, and in severe cases, elephantiasis.

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onchocerciasis British  

/ ˌɒŋkəʊsəˈkaɪəsɪs /

noun

1. Also called: river blindness.  a disease found in parts of Africa and tropical America that is caused by a parasitic worm, Onchocerca volvulus, and transmitted to humans by various species of black fly. It results in inflammation of the skin and in some cases blindness

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Etymology

Origin of onchocerciasis

1910–15; < New Latin Onchocerc ( a ) a genus of filarioid worms ( oncho- (correctly onco- < Greek ónk ( os ) barb + -o- -o- ) + -cerca feminine of -cercus -tailed < Greek, adj. derivative of kérkos tail) + -iasis

Example Sentences

One of their books had a chapter on onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 16, 2018

The second leading cause of infectious blindness in the world is river blindness, or onchocerciasis, caused by a parasitic worm transmitted through bites from blackflies that live and breed near fast-flowing rivers.

From Forbes • May 7, 2015

"And we also know that there are many parts of the world that have onchocerciasis but have no evidence of nodding syndrome."

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2012

At present, millions of free doses are given out to fight onchocerciasis, or river blindness, which is caused by tiny worms migrating into the eye.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2011

Two of the diseases, onchocerciasis, known as river blindness, and trachoma, a bacterial eye infection, cause blindness.

From Washington Post • Oct. 14, 2010