River Blindness is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions on the African continent. It's caused by parasites inside black flies that live around fast flowing rivers. This makes infection common in the communities that live alongside these rivers. It's a disease that receives little attention from big Pharma. The medicine used to stave off the parasites is Ivermectin, ironically the drug hailed as a possible Covid-19 solution. That false claim actually resulted in less Ivermectin being available for impoverished people affected by parasites. These images try to show people affected by the disease and the work of a small organization called Drugs for Neglected Disease, which tries to conduct clinical trials in remote areas to find drug interventions that big Pharma sees no profit in.First image:BALEKE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Pastor Jerome Gendose Kayana, 57, lost his sight to river blindness in 2000. He saw numerous local traditional doctors but ultimately went blind because of a lack of access to western medicine. Jerome says he initially felt suicidal, but his faith helped him to see that this was, “God’s plan for him.” This was a very difficult period, as he had been an avid reader and had only qualified as a priest two months before he lost his sight. Nowadays he actively encourages his congregation to go to Ivermectin distributions, using himself as an example of why this is important. Pastor Jerome condemns other churches who say that this is a western practice and people should only use African medicine. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (

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KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A portrait of a fisherman stretching before he lowers a large wicker fishing net into the rapids outside the city of Kisangani on the Congo River. Fisherman in this region are commonly affected by Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

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SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Sumbu Ramazani suffers from riverblindness. He has lost the ability to work as a farmer and two of his wives left him as he was unable to provide. He is now largely in the care of his younger brother and lives in a state of extreme poverty as a result of his blindness. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

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SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Venance Akolio, 50, used to make a living as a fisherman. His repeated exposure to blackfly bites at the river caused a parasitic worm infection that led to blindness. He is a much-reduced man today, prone to heavy drinking, anger and violence, all prompted by his frustrations and desperation at being blind and unable to work. Ironically, Akolio used to help to distribute Ivermectin, the drug currently prescribed for the parasites that cause river blindness. The damage to his eyes however, continued to progress beyond repair. Akolio’s wife was interviewed and said “this blindness turns women into men,” refering to her added burden of taking over all the work as well as caring for her husband. Akolio’s eldest son has now become his primary guide, sacrificing his education and prospects to assist his father. Akolio talks of suicide, saying it is only his two youngest children who give him reason to live. . There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

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BAMBANE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Ettiene Kasusku, 38, center, has lost most of his sight to river blindness, his eyes irreparably damaged by Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. This is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. Ettiene’s father Germaine Nduba, seated, is already blind for the same reason and Etienne’s son Marco is susceptible to the disease too. They continue to make a living from fishing, largely by feel, and are thus repeatedly exposed to the bites of black flies. Marco is also their primary guide, thereby robbing him of an education and future prospects. Etienne and his father are fatalisitic, saying they did not know why this was happening and did not have access to healthcare. The current medication for river blindness is Ivermectin and that was only distributed once a year.

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KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Sudi Sumaili is a traditional medicine doctor in Kisangani. He fraudulently claims to be able to cure River Blindness in a 4-day treatment using secret ingredients diluted in palm oil. A lack of access to appropriate and effective medication is one of the driving reasons for the ongoing issue of River blindness. Uneducated rural people often waste their life savings on traditional doctors who are not equipped to deal with this parasitic infection. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind. Access to genuine medicine remains the key issue.

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MASIMANIMBA, KWILU PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease doctor Felix Akwaso Massa is DNDI’s primary river blindness investigator for the Masimanimba region. His job is to seek out patients with the parasite and get them into drug trials that aim to arrive at a better solution than the current annual Ivermectin distribution. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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BALEKE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: People gathered for an Ivermectin distribution display classic symptoms for river blindness. “Leopard Skin, “ a mottled lightening of the skin on the shins of the patient is an indicator of parasitic infection. . There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

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SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease biologist Dr Sabine Specht works with her Congolese colleagues to examine people for symptoms of river blindness. She is looking for raised skin nodules, usually around the hips, as well as “Leopard Skin, “ a mottled lightening of the skin on the shins of the patient. Dr Specht is involved in ongoing trials for a better medical treatment for the disease. Dr Specht is hoping to arrive at one drug that can treat a variety of parasitic infections. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

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MASIMANIMBA, KWILU PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease Dr Felix Akwaso Massa is seen in surgery removing skin nodules containing parasitic worms in the surgical room in the DNDI wing at Masimanimba General Hospital. There is no air-conditioning so he is regularly wiped of sweat by colleagues. Dr Felix is DNDI’s primary investigator for the Masimanimba region. His job is to seek out patients with the parasite and get them into drug trials that aim to arrive at a better solution than the current annual Ivermectin distribution.. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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River Blindness is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions on the African continent. It's caused by parasites inside black flies that live around fast flowing rivers. This makes infection common in the communities that live alongside thes
KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A portrait of a fisherman stretching before he lowers a large wicker fishing net into the rapids outside the city of Kisangani on the Congo River. Fisherman in this region are commonly affected by Onchocercia
SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Sumbu Ramazani suffers from riverblindness. He has lost the ability to work as a farmer and two of his wives left him as he was unable to provide. He is now largely in the care
SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Venance Akolio, 50, used to make a living as a fisherman. His repeated exposure to blackfly bites at the river caused a parasitic worm infection that led to blindness. He is a m
BAMBANE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Ettiene Kasusku, 38, center, has lost most of his sight to river blindness, his eyes irreparably damaged by Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. This is a filarial dise
KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Sudi Sumaili is a traditional medicine doctor in Kisangani. He fraudulently claims to be able to cure River Blindness in a 4-day treatment using secret ingredients diluted in palm oil. A lack of access to app
MASIMANIMBA, KWILU PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease doctor Felix Akwaso Massa is DNDI’s primary river blindness investigator for the Masimanimba region. His job is to seek out patients with the parasite and get the
BALEKE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: People gathered for an Ivermectin distribution display classic symptoms for river blindness. “Leopard Skin, “ a mottled lightening of the skin on the shins of the patient is an indi
SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease biologist Dr Sabine Specht works with her Congolese colleagues to examine people for symptoms of river blindness. She is looking for raised skin nodu
MASIMANIMBA, KWILU PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease Dr Felix Akwaso Massa is seen in surgery removing skin nodules containing parasitic worms in the surgical room in the DNDI wing at Masimanimba General Hospital. T

River Blindness is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions on the African continent. It's caused by parasites inside black flies that live around fast flowing rivers. This makes infection common in the communities that live alongside these rivers. It's a disease that receives little attention from big Pharma. The medicine used to stave off the parasites is Ivermectin, ironically the drug hailed as a possible Covid-19 solution. That false claim actually resulted in less Ivermectin being available for impoverished people affected by parasites. These images try to show people affected by the disease and the work of a small organization called Drugs for Neglected Disease, which tries to conduct clinical trials in remote areas to find drug interventions that big Pharma sees no profit in.First image:BALEKE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Pastor Jerome Gendose Kayana, 57, lost his sight to river blindness in 2000. He saw numerous local traditional doctors but ultimately went blind because of a lack of access to western medicine. Jerome says he initially felt suicidal, but his faith helped him to see that this was, “God’s plan for him.” This was a very difficult period, as he had been an avid reader and had only qualified as a priest two months before he lost his sight. Nowadays he actively encourages his congregation to go to Ivermectin distributions, using himself as an example of why this is important. Pastor Jerome condemns other churches who say that this is a western practice and people should only use African medicine. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (

KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A portrait of a fisherman stretching before he lowers a large wicker fishing net into the rapids outside the city of Kisangani on the Congo River. Fisherman in this region are commonly affected by Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Sumbu Ramazani suffers from riverblindness. He has lost the ability to work as a farmer and two of his wives left him as he was unable to provide. He is now largely in the care of his younger brother and lives in a state of extreme poverty as a result of his blindness. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Venance Akolio, 50, used to make a living as a fisherman. His repeated exposure to blackfly bites at the river caused a parasitic worm infection that led to blindness. He is a much-reduced man today, prone to heavy drinking, anger and violence, all prompted by his frustrations and desperation at being blind and unable to work. Ironically, Akolio used to help to distribute Ivermectin, the drug currently prescribed for the parasites that cause river blindness. The damage to his eyes however, continued to progress beyond repair. Akolio’s wife was interviewed and said “this blindness turns women into men,” refering to her added burden of taking over all the work as well as caring for her husband. Akolio’s eldest son has now become his primary guide, sacrificing his education and prospects to assist his father. Akolio talks of suicide, saying it is only his two youngest children who give him reason to live. . There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

BAMBANE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Ettiene Kasusku, 38, center, has lost most of his sight to river blindness, his eyes irreparably damaged by Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. This is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. Ettiene’s father Germaine Nduba, seated, is already blind for the same reason and Etienne’s son Marco is susceptible to the disease too. They continue to make a living from fishing, largely by feel, and are thus repeatedly exposed to the bites of black flies. Marco is also their primary guide, thereby robbing him of an education and future prospects. Etienne and his father are fatalisitic, saying they did not know why this was happening and did not have access to healthcare. The current medication for river blindness is Ivermectin and that was only distributed once a year.

KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Sudi Sumaili is a traditional medicine doctor in Kisangani. He fraudulently claims to be able to cure River Blindness in a 4-day treatment using secret ingredients diluted in palm oil. A lack of access to appropriate and effective medication is one of the driving reasons for the ongoing issue of River blindness. Uneducated rural people often waste their life savings on traditional doctors who are not equipped to deal with this parasitic infection. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind. Access to genuine medicine remains the key issue.

MASIMANIMBA, KWILU PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease doctor Felix Akwaso Massa is DNDI’s primary river blindness investigator for the Masimanimba region. His job is to seek out patients with the parasite and get them into drug trials that aim to arrive at a better solution than the current annual Ivermectin distribution. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

BALEKE VILLAGE, BENGAMISA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: People gathered for an Ivermectin distribution display classic symptoms for river blindness. “Leopard Skin, “ a mottled lightening of the skin on the shins of the patient is an indicator of parasitic infection. . There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

SALABONGO VILLAGE, WANIE RUKULA DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease biologist Dr Sabine Specht works with her Congolese colleagues to examine people for symptoms of river blindness. She is looking for raised skin nodules, usually around the hips, as well as “Leopard Skin, “ a mottled lightening of the skin on the shins of the patient. Dr Specht is involved in ongoing trials for a better medical treatment for the disease. Dr Specht is hoping to arrive at one drug that can treat a variety of parasitic infections. Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a filarial disease caused by the parasitic nematode worm Onchocerca volvulus. People are infected by worms transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking blackflies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is not usually fatal, but it inflicts hardship and misery on millions of people. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind.

MASIMANIMBA, KWILU PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Drugs for Neglected Disease Dr Felix Akwaso Massa is seen in surgery removing skin nodules containing parasitic worms in the surgical room in the DNDI wing at Masimanimba General Hospital. There is no air-conditioning so he is regularly wiped of sweat by colleagues. Dr Felix is DNDI’s primary investigator for the Masimanimba region. His job is to seek out patients with the parasite and get them into drug trials that aim to arrive at a better solution than the current annual Ivermectin distribution.. The worms can cause severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and blindness or impaired vision. There are 217.5 million people at risk in Sub-Saharan Africa with 19 million currently infected and 1.15 million who are blind. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for GEO magazine.)

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