Neglected Tropical Diseases

Why in news?

• On ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day’, World Health Organization (WHO) has published a document that aims to support countries and international organizations to work together to identify common grounds to maximize efforts to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

About Neglected Tropical Diseases:

• Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of tropical infections which are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• These diseases are contrasted with the big three infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria), which generally receive greater treatment and research funding.
• Twenty neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been identified by the WHO, that impact over 1.7 billion people worldwide
• These include viral (Dengue, Rabies), Bacterial (Leprosy), and Parasitic diseases (lymphatic filariasis, African sleeping sickness) diseases.
• India carries the largest burden of at least 11 of these diseases, with parasitic illnesses like kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis affecting millions of people throughout the country – often the poorest and most vulnerable.

Add ons:

• They are preventable and treatable. However, these diseases - and their intricate interrelationships with poverty and ecological systems - continue to cause devastating health, social and economic consequences.
• Controlling the vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, black flies) that transmit these diseases and improving basic water, sanitation, and hygiene are highly effective strategies against these NTDs.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs):

1. WHO has identified twenty Neglected Tropical Diseases

2. All of the NTDs identified by WHO are viral disease

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer