onchocerciasis

noun on·cho·cer·ci·a·sis \ˌäŋ-kō-ˌsər-ˈkī-ə-səs\

plural on·cho·cer·ci·a·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of ONCHOCERCIASIS

: infestation with or disease caused by filarial worms (genus Onchocerca); especially : a human disease marked by subcutaneous nodules, dermatitis, and visual impairment and caused by a worm (O. volvulus) found in Africa and tropical America which is transmitted by the bite of a female blackfly —called also river blindness

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Origin of ONCHOCERCIASIS

New Latin, from Onchocerca, genus of worms

First Known Use: 1911

Medical Dictionary

onchocerciasis

noun on·cho·cer·ci·a·sis \ˌäŋ-kō-ˌsər-ˈkī-ə-səs\

plural on·cho·cer·ci·a·ses \-ˌsēz\

Medical Definition of ONCHOCERCIASIS

: infestation with or disease caused by filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca; especially : a human disease that is marked by subcutaneous nodules, dermatitis, and visual impairment and is caused by a worm (O. volvulus) which is found in Africa and tropical America and transmitted by the bite of a female blackfly—called also onchocercosis, river blindness; see craw-craw