People who are found to have O. Volvulus (river blindness) should be treated to prevent long term skin damage and blindness. It is recommended to threat with ivemectin, which will need to be given every 6 months for the lifespan of the adult worms or as long as the host shows sighns of itching and eye problems. Ivemectin kills the young larva but does not kill the adults worms. There is new treatment being tested and discovered. (CDC, 2013). There has been a new discovery of a drug called doxycycline that kills a specific bacteria in the adult worms. It is possible when diagnosed with this disease that doctors will prescribe both in hopes of synergy to occur.
At this time there is not medicine or treatment to not become infected with river blindness. The best type of ways to protect yourself is to take precautions with personal protection. Wearing insect repellant, long sleeves, long pants, and wearing permethrin treated clothing.
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