What are Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases with distinct characteristics that thrive mainly among the poorest and deprived populations. They threaten the lives and well-being of millions of people in neglected populations of the world’s poorest communities. The burden of these diseases is extremely high in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). For example, approximately 40% of the global burden of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is found in SSA while all the remaining cases of Guinea Worm Disease (GWD) is also found in the same region. The World Health Organisation has prioritised 17 of these NTDs in 149 endemic countries for focused global attention.

WHO prioritised neglected tropical diseases for control

Helminth

• Cysticercosis/Taeniasis
• Dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease)
• Echinococcosis
• Foodborne trematodiases
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
• Schistosomiasis
• Soil-transmitted helminthiases
• Dengue and Chikungunya

Protozoa

• Chagas disease
• Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
• Leishmaniases

Virus

• Dengue and Chikungunya
• Rabies

Bacteria

• Buruli ulcer
• Leprosy (Hansen disease)
• Trachoma
• Yaws