Diseases
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
NTDs are found in several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. NTDs are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
Information on diseases included in the WHO portfolio of NTDs is available at https://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/en/external icon
See below for more information on selected neglected tropical diseases:
The following six NTDs can be controlled or even eliminated through mass administration of safe and effective medicines or other, effective interventions:
- Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)
- Lymphatic Filariasis
- Onchocerciasis
- Schistosomiasis
- Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH) (i.e., Ascaris, Hookworm, and Whipworm)
- Trachoma
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.
