Tropical Neglect Diseases (NTDs) are a group of diseases that commonly occur in developing countries and are responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Currently there is a list of 20 NTDs according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and approximately 1 billion people are affected, especially the poorest and most disadvantaged.
List of Neglected Diseases (WHO)
- Buruli ulcer
- Mycetom
- Chromoblastomycosis
- Chagas disease
- Onchocerciasis
- Dengue and Chikungunya
- Rabies
- Dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease)*
- Scabies
- Echinococcosis
- Schistosomiasis
- Foodborne trematodiases
- Soil-transmitted helminthiases
- Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) *
- Snakebite envenoming
- Leishmaniasis
- Taeniasis/Cysticercosis
- Hansen's disease (leprosy)
- Trachoma
- Lymphatic filariasis
- Yaws
*Diseases not presented in Brazil.
Brazil has more 18 from the 20 NTDs listed by WHO, some of which are Dengue, Chagas Disease, Leishmaniasis, Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Leprosy, Schistosomiasis, and Ophidism.WHO has set the goal of decreasing 50% or even ending NTDs by 2030, but the unfavorable record imposes the need for actions between different areas such as science, health, technology, infrastructure, and education to be able to have better diagnostic methods, more effective prophylaxis practices, and raising awareness among the population to be able to achieve the goal of eradicating these diseases and saving lives.
