ArticleThe American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene2015
One Hundred Years After Its Discovery in Guatemala by Rodolfo Robles, Onchocerca volvulus Transmission Has Been Eliminated from the Central Endemic Zone.
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Article in The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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30citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
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30 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 41 citations in OpenAlex.
- Current Gaps in Survey Design and Analysis for Molecular Xenomonitoring of Vector-Borne Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Systematic Review.Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH · 2025Pooled it
- Evaluating the diagnostic test accuracy of molecular xenomonitoring methods for characterising the community burden of Onchocerciasis.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2021Pooled it
- Important entomological events in the history of onchocerciasis ('river blindness').International health · 2026Review
- Onchocerciasis overview: pathogenesis, clinical spectrum, and therapeutic challenges of a neglected tropical disease.Frontiers in parasitology · 2026Review
- Recrudescence of transmission of onchocerciasis in some endemic communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria: What is the way forward?PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2025Article
- Confirming non-endemicity of podoconiosis in Guatemala and in Idukki District in Kerala (India): a comparison of two approaches potentially suitable for other neglected tropical diseases.BMC global and public health · 2024Article
- Identification and Characterization ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- A neglected among the neglected: a review of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Guatemala.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2023Review
- Concordance between Ov16 Rapid Diagnostic Test(RDT) and Ov16 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Diagnosis of Onchocerciasis in Areas of Contrasting Endemicity in Cameroon.Parasite epidemiology and control · 2023Article
- Pseudoexfoliation and Cataract Syndrome Associated with Genetic and Epidemiological Factors in a Mayan Cohort of Guatemala.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- The Eagle effect in the Wolbachia-worm symbiosis.Parasites & vectors · 2021Article
- Historical Review and Cost-Effectiveness Assessment of the Programs to Eliminate Onchocerciasis and Trachoma in Mexico.Research and reports in tropical medicine · 2021Review
- Entomological Assessment ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2020Article
- Post-elimination surveillance in formerly onchocerciasis endemic focus in Southern Mexico.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2020Article
- Onchocerciasis Elimination: Progress and Challenges.Research and reports in tropical medicine · 2020Review
- Operational Performance of theThe American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2018Article
- Elimination of onchocerciasis from Colombia: first proof of concept of river blindness elimination in the world.Parasites & vectors · 2018Article
- Onchocerca volvulus infection in Tihama region - west of Yemen: Continuing transmission in ivermectin-targeted endemic foci and unveiled endemicity in districts with previously unknown status.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2018Article
- Transitioning from river blindness control to elimination: steps toward stopping treatment.International health · 2018Article
- Diagnostics for onchocerciasis in the era of elimination.International health · 2018Review
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Authors and funding
17 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Frank RichardsRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama frank.richards@emory.edu.
Nidia RizzoRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Carlos Enrique Diaz EspinozaRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Zoraida Morales MonroyRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Carol Guillermina Crovella ValdezRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Renata Mendizabal de CabreraRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Oscar de LeonRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Guillermo Zea-FloresRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Mauricio SauerbreyRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Alba Lucia MoralesRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Dalila RiosRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Thomas R UnnaschRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Hassan K HassanRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Robert KleinRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Mark EberhardRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Ed CuppRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Alfredo DomínguezRiver Blindness Elimination Program, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Centro de Estudios en Salud of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), Guatemala City, Guatemala; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), The Carter Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Global Health Infectious Disease Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · US
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
We report the elimination of Onchocerca volvulus transmission from the Central Endemic Zone (CEZ) of onchocerciasis in Guatemala, the largest focus of this disease in the Americas and the first to be discovered in this hemisphere by Rodolfo Robles Valverde in 1915. Mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin was launched in 1988, with semiannual MDA coverage reaching at least 85% of the eligible population in > 95% of treatment rounds during the 12-year period, 2000-2011. Serial parasitological testing to monitor MDA impact in sentinel villages showed a decrease in microfilaria skin prevalence from 70% to 0%, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based entomological assessments of the principal vector Simulium ochraceum s.l. showed transmission interruption by 2007. These assessments, together with a 2010 serological survey in children 9-69 months of age that showed Ov16 IgG4 antibody prevalence to be < 0.1%, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for stopping MDA, and treatment was halted after 2011. After 3 years an entomological assessment showed no evidence of vector infection or recrudescence of transmission. In 2015, 100 years after the discovery of its presence, the Ministry of Health of Guatemala declared onchocerciasis transmission as having been eliminated from the CEZ.
Indexed as
Disease EradicationOnchocerca volvulusAnimalsChild, PreschoolEyeFemaleFilaricidesGuatemalaHumansInsect ControlInsect VectorsIvermectinMaleOnchocerciasisSimuliidaeSkinFilaricidesIvermectin
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