Blood-Sucking Fly That Can Cause Human Blindness Identified In Darjeeling, Kalimpong
Onchocerciasis, commonly known as 'river blindness,' is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. The worm is carried by black flies.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a species of blood-sucking fly that can cause human blindness. 'Black" flies, also referred to as 'pipsa" or 'potu" flies by the locals, are found in the areas of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.
These flies are carriers of worms known as Onchocerca volvulus, which cause blindness in humans.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), onchocerciasis, commonly known as 'river blindness", is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted to humans by the repeated bites of infected blackflies that breed in flowing rivers.
'These black flies of the Simuliidae family are extremely small. They are barely noticeable to the naked eye. Before one realises it, the fly has already sucked blood and left. Many species in this family look almost identical externally. In scientific terms, distinguishing between two different species of Simuliidae flies based on external characteristics is quite difficult and time-consuming. Sometimes, accurate species identification is not even possible," Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
According to the report by the Indian Express, Dr Atanu Naskar, the officer-in-charge and scientist at the Diptera division of the Zoological Survey of India, informed that a research was conducted across eight areas of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The researchers collected the DNA samples and then barcoded the DNA to identify the fly.
While there has been no report of any disease caused by these flies as of now, Dr Dhriti Banerjee told Indian Express that the people in these areas remain at risk of blindness, as these places witness good numbers of tourists who might unknowingly get bitten.
First Published:
April 26, 2025, 23:45 IST
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