TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Christophe KOFFI

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Christophe KOFFI A nurse, Mamadou Kone, gives medecine, ivermectin, against onchocerciasis or river blindness, caused by a parasitic worm and spread by the bite of an infected blackfly, on September 27, 2008 in the Ivorian town of Kouadioa-Allaikro. River blindness is found in 30 African countries, in regions of six countries in the Americas, and Yemen. Most infected persons are in Africa, and the disease is found most frequently in rural agricultural villages that are located near rapidly flowing streams. Ivermectin is used to rid animals and humans of many internal and external, blood-sucking parasites . AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)