Week 6 Assignment
1. River blindness
Pathogen name: Onchocerca volvulus
Type of pathogen (bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, helminth or prion): Helminth
Body system affected: Skin and eyes
Signs and symptoms: Severe itching and skin rashes, skin thickening or
discoloration, nodules under the skin, eye damage that can lead to partial or
complete blindness over time
Epidemiology: Most common in sub-Saharan Africa, transmitted by the bite of infected
blackflies that breed near fast-flowing rivers. It’s a leading cause of preventable blindness in
tropical regions
Disease treatment and prevention: Treatment: Ivermectin - kills the larvae but not
the adult worms, so it needs to be taken regularly; doxycycline may also be
used to kill bacteria the worms rely on. Prevention: Avoiding blackfly bites with
insect repellent or protective clothing, and MDA programs in affected areas to
control spread.
2. Ocular trachoma
Pathogen name: Chlamydia trachomatis
Type of pathogen (bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, helminth or prion): Bacterial
Body system affected: Eyes
One virulence factor: Intracellular lifestyle – it hides and multiplies inside host
cells, making it harder for the immune system to fight it off.
Signs and symptoms: Eye irritation, redness, and discharge, swollen eyelids,
repeated infections can cause scarring inside the eyelid. In severe cases,
eyelashes turn inward and scratch the cornea, leading to blindness.
Epidemiology: Leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. Mostly found in
developing countries, especially in parts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and
Latin America. Spreads through direct contact with eye/nose secretions or
indirectly through flies and contaminated towels.
Disease treatment and prevention: Treatment: Antibiotics like azithromycin or
tetracycline eye ointment. Prevention: Improved hygiene and sanitation
(regular face washing). Controlling fly populations. Public health programs
following the SAFE strategy: Surgery for advanced cases, Antibiotics, Facial
cleanliness, and Environmental improvements
3. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Pathogen name: Prion
1. River blindness
Pathogen name: Onchocerca volvulus
Type of pathogen (bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, helminth or prion): Helminth
Body system affected: Skin and eyes
Signs and symptoms: Severe itching and skin rashes, skin thickening or
discoloration, nodules under the skin, eye damage that can lead to partial or
complete blindness over time
Epidemiology: Most common in sub-Saharan Africa, transmitted by the bite of infected
blackflies that breed near fast-flowing rivers. It’s a leading cause of preventable blindness in
tropical regions
Disease treatment and prevention: Treatment: Ivermectin - kills the larvae but not
the adult worms, so it needs to be taken regularly; doxycycline may also be
used to kill bacteria the worms rely on. Prevention: Avoiding blackfly bites with
insect repellent or protective clothing, and MDA programs in affected areas to
control spread.
2. Ocular trachoma
Pathogen name: Chlamydia trachomatis
Type of pathogen (bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, helminth or prion): Bacterial
Body system affected: Eyes
One virulence factor: Intracellular lifestyle – it hides and multiplies inside host
cells, making it harder for the immune system to fight it off.
Signs and symptoms: Eye irritation, redness, and discharge, swollen eyelids,
repeated infections can cause scarring inside the eyelid. In severe cases,
eyelashes turn inward and scratch the cornea, leading to blindness.
Epidemiology: Leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. Mostly found in
developing countries, especially in parts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and
Latin America. Spreads through direct contact with eye/nose secretions or
indirectly through flies and contaminated towels.
Disease treatment and prevention: Treatment: Antibiotics like azithromycin or
tetracycline eye ointment. Prevention: Improved hygiene and sanitation
(regular face washing). Controlling fly populations. Public health programs
following the SAFE strategy: Surgery for advanced cases, Antibiotics, Facial
cleanliness, and Environmental improvements
3. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Pathogen name: Prion
