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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT NAME: Onchocerca volvulus SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Onchocerciasis, river blindness, blinding filarial disease, enfermedad de roblex, erisipela de la coste, mal morado, craw-craw, gale filarienne, ceguera de la rios CHARACTERISTICS: Filarial nematode, helminth, female worms are 23-50 cm long and 250-450 µm wide, male worms are 16-42 cm long and 150-200 µm wide; microfilariae vary from 220-360 µm, unsheathed and contains a cephalic space; long-lived (8-15 years); SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD PATHOGENICITY: Heavy infection can lead to 3 main clinical manifestations including dermatitis, eye lesions, and subcutaneous nodules; initially, changes in skin pigmentation are observed, followed by loss of skin elasticity; subcutaneous nodules contains adult worms and are usually firm, varies in size and location; complications are corneal opacities and blindness; chronic and nonfatal; embryonic stage of the organism causes most of the pathology; female worm discharges microfilariae that migrate through the skin; microfilariae can be found in tissues other than the skin and eye; refinfection may occur, severity is dependent on the cumulative effects of repeated infections EPIDEMIOLOGY: Universal susceptibility, endemic in 37 countries; prevalent in West Africa, widespread Guatemala and Mexico; foci in South and Central America including Venezuela, Colombia, Surinam, Brazil and Ecuador HOST RANGE: Humans; experimental transmission to chimpanzees, gorillas; other Onchocerca species found in animals cannot infect humans but may occur together with O. volvulus in the insect vector INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By the bite of an infected female blackfly (Simulium spp.) INCUBATION PERIOD: Variable; microfilariae found in the skin 1 year or more after infective bite; in Guatemala, found in children by 6 months of age; in Africa, vector can be infectious 7 days after a blood meal COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person-to-person; people can infect blackfly, if microfilariae occur in the skin, for up to 10-15 years if untreated SECTION III - DISSEMINATION RESERVOIR: Humans ZOONOSIS: None, but blackfly is crucial biological reservoir as well as vector VECTORS: Blackfly (Simulium spp.) which breed rapidly in flowing rivers and streams SECTION IV - VIABILITY DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to diethylcarbamazine citrate, suramin, ivermectin; ivermectin not effective in killing adult worms (macrofilariae) SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Infective stages sensitive to 1% sodium hypochlorite PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Infective stages sensitive to heating at 56° C for 30 minutes SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Infective stages sensitive to freezing SECTION V - MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by microscopic demonstration of microfilariae in tissue biopsy; evidence of microfilariae in urine or by excising nodules and confirming presence of adult worms FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer appropriate drug therapy IMMUNIZATION: None available PROPHYLAXIS: None available SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Skin biopsy specimens, nodules, blood, tears, sputum and urine PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation; droplet exposure of the mucous membranes SPECIAL HAZARDS: None SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving infective stages of the parasite and potentially infectious body fluids or tissues PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 mins) before clean up DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Date prepared: March, 2001 Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date. Copyright © [Material Safety Data Sheets - Index]
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Last Updated: 2001-05-23 | ![]() |