Neglected tropical disease

Neglected Tropical Disease

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries. They affect more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year.

Etymology

The term "Neglected Tropical Diseases" was coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to refer to a group of diseases that were largely ignored by the global health community, despite their widespread prevalence in tropical regions.

Definition

NTDs are characterized by their prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions, their ability to thrive in impoverished settings, and their relative neglect by research and health policy initiatives. They are often caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths.

List of Neglected Tropical Diseases

According to the WHO, there are 20 diseases classified as NTDs. These include:

• Dengue and Chikungunya
• Rabies
• Trachoma
• Buruli ulcer
• Endemic treponematoses (Yaws)
• Leprosy
• Chagas disease
• Human African trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness)
• Leishmaniasis
• Taeniasis/Cysticercosis
• Dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease)
• Echinococcosis
• Foodborne trematodiases
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Onchocerciasis (River blindness)
• Schistosomiasis
• Soil-transmitted helminthiases
• Blindness and visual impairment
• Snakebite envenoming

Prevention and Control

Prevention and control of NTDs involve a combination of strategies including preventive chemotherapy, innovative and intensified disease management, vector control, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and veterinary public health.

See Also

• Tropical medicine
• Parasitic disease
• Global health

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Neglected tropical disease
• Wikipedia's article - Neglected tropical disease

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