01892nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001260002300042653001600065100001300081700001300094700001200107700001100119700001500130245005600145856011700201300001000318490001400328520133000342022001401672       2020                            d  bInforma UK Limited10aElimination1 aLakwo TL1 aOguttu D1 aUkety T1 aPost R1 aBakajika D00aOnchocerciasis Elimination: Progress and Challenges  uhttps://www.dovepress.com/onchocerciasis-elimination-progress-and-challenges-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RRTM  a81-950 vVolume 113 aOnchocerciasis is a parasitic infection caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted through the bites of black flies of the genus Similium that breed in rivers and streams. The impact of mass treatment with ivermectin and supplemented by vector control in some countries has changed the global scene of onchocerciasis. There has been reported progress made in elimination of onchocerciasis in central and southern American countries and in some localities in Africa. The target for elimination in the Americas has been set at 2022 while for 12 countries in Africa this is expected in 2030. This review was conducted to examine the current status of onchocerciasis elimination at the global level and report on progress made. Literature searches were made through PubMed, articles in English or English abstracts, reports and any other relevant articles related to the subject. The global burden of onchocerciasis is progressively reducing and is no longer a public health problem in some regions. However, programs are challenged with a range of issues: cross-border transmission, diagnostic tools, Loa loa co-endemicity, limited workforce in entomology and maintaining enthusiasm among community drug distributors. More concerted effort using appropriate tools is required to overcome the challenges.  a1179-7282