Blood-Sucking Fly That Can Cause Human Blindness Identified In Darjeeling, Kalimpong

Last Updated:
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

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

3 hours ago

• Time of India

Covid 19 resurges in the country: How THIS common symptom is key to the new variant

The COVID-19 virus has made a comeback after a lull of a couple of years, and there has been a surge in the number of cases worldwide, including India. For now, most cases remain mild, and patients are recovering well at home, though the government has issued caution for those who are suffering from co-morbidities, including pregnant women, and elderly people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, the COVID-19 virus continues to change and mutate, creating new variants that spread differently and cause different symptoms. One of the newest variants, called NB.1.8.1 or "Nimbus," has caught the attention of doctors and patients worldwide because it often causes a very painful sore throat, also called "razor blade throat." Let's dig deeper into the new symptom... History of the Nimbus variant Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) is a descendant of the Omicron variant, and was first detected in January 2025. Since then, it has spread quickly across many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and parts of Asia. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) the variant remains mild as of now, and does not cause severe illness. Why Is Throat Pain So Common with Nimbus Doctors have noticed that many patients infected with Nimbus report a sore throat that feels extremely painful, to the extent that even drinking water feels difficult. Some describe it as if they are "swallowing razor blades" or "glass." This is different from the mild sore throat people experienced with earlier COVID variants. Leading doctors explain that in this symptom, the throat feels very dry and cracked, causing intense pain. This severe throat pain likely happens because the virus causes inflammation and irritation in the throat tissues, leading to pain that can exacerbate while eating and drinking. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Other symptoms Though throat pain is the new symptom of the Nimbus variant, it usually comes with other common COVID symptoms. These include: Cough Fever Fatigue Muscle aches that feel like extreme fatigue and tiredness Nasal congestion that can last longer than usual Headaches Nausea or vomiting Changes in taste or smell These symptoms are similar to those seen with other Omicron variants as well. What should you do if you have a sore throat Not all sore throats will be caused by Covid. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms as well, along with a sore throat that feels sharp or burning, especially if it is severe enough to make swallowing difficult, you should: Get tested for COVID-19: Since throat pain is a key symptom of the Nimbus variant, testing can confirm if you have the virus. Stay isolated: To prevent spreading the virus to others, stay home and avoid close contact with people. Drink plenty of fluids: Even if it hurts, try to keep yourself hydrated to soothe your throat. Use throat lozenges or warm salt water gargles: These can help ease the pain temporarily. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen: If you have trouble breathing, persistent high fever, or severe pain, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Remember, sore throats can also be caused by a bacterial infection that can only be managed with antibiotics. However, since Covid is a virus, it does not respond to antibiotics. Hence, it is important to not self medicate, and consult a doctor. Vaccine is still your best bet The good news is that current COVID-19 vaccines, especially with updated boosters, continue to protect people from severe disease, hospitalization, and death caused by the Nimbus variant. While the variant can cause painful symptoms like sore throat, vaccinated individuals generally experience milder illness. Sources: World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Hindu

9 hours ago

• The Hindu

Burning at both ends: how smoking hits health, raises term insurance premium

American actress and singer Liza Minnelli once quipped, 'Smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics.' As witty as it sounds, the grim truth is hard to ignore, tobacco use remains one of the top causes of preventable death globally. According to the World Health Organization, it is responsible for more than eight million deaths worldwide each year, including approximately 1.35 million deaths annually in India. The health consequences of smoking are well documented. From lung cancer and cardiovascular disease to stroke and chronic respiratory issues, tobacco use leads to severe, often irreversible, damage. But what's less discussed is the financial burden it can bring, particularly when it comes to term life insurance. Why smokers pay more When you apply for a term insurance plan, one of the first things insurers assess is your smoking status. And the difference in premium can be staggering. For instance, a 35-year-old male living in Delhi could pay as much as 80–100% more for the same term plan if he is a smoker compared with a non-smoker. For instance, a 35-year-old non-smoker will pay a monthly premium of ₹1,453 for a ₹1 crore term policy, while a smoker will pay about ₹2,905. That's because smoking significantly reduces life expectancy, increasing the risk for insurers. Life-threatening issues Smokers are more prone to a host of life-threatening conditions, including various cancers, heart disease, and chronic respiratory ailments. This elevated risk translates into higher premiums, as insurers factor in the likelihood of early claims. Smoking habits outweigh job risk in premium assessment. While your profession also plays a role in determining your insurance premium, smoking is often a more critical factor. For example, a smoker working a low-risk job like a software engineer may still end up paying a higher premium than a non-smoker in a high-risk occupation, such as a construction worker or merchant navy officer. Insurers typically categorise applicants into two groups, smokers and non-smokers, regardless of other lifestyle or occupational risks. Must buy term plan There's a common misconception that smokers are ineligible for term insurance. That's simply not true. Smokers are eligible and, in fact, have even more reason to secure financial protection for their families. Given the elevated health risks, buying term insurance ensures that your loved ones are financially safeguarded in your absence. Honesty matters Disclose smoking habits upfront. It's crucial to be transparent about your smoking habits while purchasing a term plan. Non-disclosure or misrepresentation can lead to serious consequences. If an insurer discovers withheld information, often through mandatory medical exams or tests that detect nicotine, the same may lead to claim rejection, cancellation of the policy, or even allegations of insurance fraud. Frequent evaluation Insurers don't just ask whether you smoke, they also evaluate how frequently and in what form you consume tobacco, whether it's cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco. Definitions of 'smoker' also vary across insurance providers. Some classify anyone who has smoked within the last 12 months as a smoker, while others may extend that window to three years. Try to quit Also, consider quitting for better rates and better health. If you're considering buying term insurance, quitting smoking can help reduce your premium costs significantly. Some insurers even offer revised premiums if you quit smoking after purchasing the policy, subject to evidence and re-evaluation over time. It's an opportune moment to reflect on how quitting smoking can improve not just your health, but also your financial well-being. A single decision, like giving up tobacco, can ripple into long-term benefits for both you and your family. (The writer is head, term insurance,

Hans India

21 hours ago

• Hans India

Imported seafood increasing resistance to colistin, a potent antibiotic: Study

A team of US researchers on Sunday said it has identified a way that colistin (a potent, last-resort antibiotic) resistance genes are spreading via imported seafood. Colistin is used only to treat people with dangerous, life-threatening bacterial infections that have developed resistance to other drugs. But it's not foolproof. Worldwide, resistance to colistin is spreading, further diminishing treatment options and putting infected people at higher risk. Researchers from the University of Georgia recently identified a way that colistin resistance genes are spreading. In a new study, microbiologist Issmat Kassem, and his group have reported the first isolation of colistin-resistance genes in bacteria found in imported shrimp and scallops, purchased from 8 food markets around Atlanta. 'Many people don't know that most seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, Kassem said, including about 90 per cent of shrimp. Imported seafood is screened for contaminants but the process doesn't catch everything, especially antimicrobial resistance genes. 'The bacteria that were carrying colistin resistance genes are not normally screened.' Kassem and his group also found that some of the resistance genes are carried on plasmids — round bits of genetic material that can be transmitted from bacteria to bacteria. Antimicrobial resistant infections kill hundreds of thousands of people globally every year, and antimicrobial resistance is a rising public health menace. Colistin was first introduced in the 1950s to treat infections by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, but it takes a heavy toll on patients, including increased risk of damage to the nerves and kidneys. It was discontinued in the U.S. in the 1980s. However, Kassem noted, other countries continued to use it in agricultural settings, both to treat infections and to promote animal growth. Colistin was eventually reintroduced to human medicine because it was one of the few options available to treat certain bacterial infections. The World Health Organization categorises colistin as a high priority critically important antibiotic, which means it is an essential option for treating serious human infections. Researchers cautioned that the group identified 1 source of colistin resistance, but there could be other, and they're likely spreading.