The Silent Suffering: A Closer Look at Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of infectious diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries, affecting more than one billion people and costing developing economies billions of dollars every year. They are called ‘neglected’ because they generally affect the world’s poorest and receive less attention than other diseases.

Buruli Ulcer

A debilitating skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, leading to severe destruction of the skin and soft tissue.

Chagas Disease

Also known as American trypanosomiasis, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, it can cause long-term cardiac and digestive system damage.

Dengue and Chikungunya

Viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, causing high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain.

Dracunculiasis; Guinea-worm Disease

Caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis, it is contracted by drinking contaminated water and leads to painful skin lesions.

Echinococcosis

A parasitic disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. It forms cysts in various organs and can be fatal if untreated.

Foodborne Trematodiases

Infections caused by trematodes (flukes) acquired by consuming contaminated food or water.

Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)

A parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly, leading to severe neurological disorders and death if untreated.

Leishmaniasis

Caused by the protozoa Leishmania, transmitted by the bite of infected sandflies, leading to skin ulcers, fever, and spleen and liver damage.

Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)

A chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis, leading to skin lesions and nerve damage.

Lymphatic Filariasis/Mycetoma

A parasitic disease, also known as elephantiasis, causing severe swelling in the limbs. Mycetoma is a chronic skin infection caused by fungi or bacteria.

Chromoblastomycosis and Other Deep Mycoses

Chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, leading to scaly warts or lesions.

Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)

Caused by the worm Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted by blackflies, leading to severe itching and blindness.

Podoconiosis

A non-infectious disease caused by walking barefoot on irritant soils, leading to progressive swelling of the lower legs.

Rabies

A viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, fatal once symptoms appear.

Scabies and Other Ectoparasitoses

Caused by mites infesting the skin, leading to intense itching and rash.

Schistosomiasis

Parasitic disease caused by blood flukes, leading to liver and intestinal damage, and bladder cancer.

Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases

Worm infections transmitted through soil contaminated with human feces, causing anemia and malnutrition.

Snakebite Envenoming

A critical yet overlooked global health issue, causing paralysis, bleeding disorders, irreversible kidney failure, and death.

Taeniasis/Cysticercosis

Infections caused by the adult tapeworm Taenia solium, leading to neurocysticercosis if larvae invade the central nervous system.

Trachoma

An infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to blindness if untreated.

Yaws and Other Endemic Treponematoses

Chronic bacterial infections that affect the skin, bone, and cartilage.

Noma

A severe gangrenous disease leading to tissue destruction of the face, particularly affecting children in poor communities.

These diseases are preventable and treatable. However, they continue to cause immense suffering due to the lack of awareness and resources. It’s crucial to bring these diseases to the forefront of global health priorities to initiate change and provide hope to those affected.

This blog post aims to shed light on the often overlooked plight of those suffering from NTDs and to call for increased attention and resources to combat these devastating conditions. Let’s join hands in the fight against the neglect of these diseases and the people they affect. 🌍✨