Simulium yahense (Black Fly)

2011-03-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Simulium yahense

The Simulium yahense is commonly known as the Black Fly. Not too long ago this fly could be found all over the world, especially in the United States, but over the recent years the U.S has done many efforts to keep away this bug. The Black Fly hosts a disease called Onchocerciasis which is also known as River Blindness. This disease is transmitted through the bite of the S. yahense and is the second leading cause of blindness. Out of 18 million who suffer from Onchocerciasis, 270,000 have adopted it from this infection. The majority of there cases are in Africa and South America, mainly in rural areas where treatment is unavailable. Even if treatment were available it would not cure blindness, all it would do is reduce the reproduction of more worms in the body. However, research is being conducted to find a way to completely rid the body of this disease carrying worm.

Obtained from
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xHQgaqFbFvE/SiqYmqnjTQI/AAAAAAAAC7A/zxIyC3Lg2HE/s400/blindness_cycle.jpg