Next This is the most popular name for a disease called Onchocerciasis. It's the world's second leading cause of blindness and is present in Africa, Arabia and the Americas. The fly deposits the worms beneath the human skin. The female worms, which can live inside a human carrier for up to fifteen years, produce millions of microscopic larvae which migrate throughout the victim's body, causing a multitude of serious symptoms. The name alludes to the serious visual impairment the disease can cause.
Symptoms usually appear one to three years after infection.
Avoid staying in areas where the blackflies are present. If you must, cover all exposed body parts with a strong insect repellent. Next Sandfly fever, also called Pappataci fever or Three-Day fever, is on the increase in many countries. Sub-tropical and tropical regions with long periods of hot, dry weather are the main transfer areas. It is, however, not a disease which should be of too much concern to travellers, as it is not known to be fatal.