It's World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day!
Chagas disease
Chikungunya
Dengue
Dracunculiasis
Leishmaniasis
Leprosy
Elephantiasis
Mycetoma
River blindness
Rabies
Sleeping sickness
Trachoma
...
& other neglected tropical diseases affect 1 BILLION people 🌍! bit.ly/3scvAhl
Neglected tropical diseases are:
1️⃣Responsible for thousands of preventable deaths
2️⃣Found in🌍's poorest regions
3️⃣Caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi & toxins
4️⃣Associated with stigma & social exclusion
5️⃣43 countries eliminated at least 1 of these diseases
Leprosy is a chronic but curable disease caused by infection mainly of the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract & eyes bit.ly/3scvAhl
In this picture: A newly diagnosed leprosy patient is shown how to use his multidrug therapy in 🇮🇳. #BeatNTDs
Dracunculiasis (commonly known as Guinea worm disease) is a crippling parasitic disease. It is transmitted exclusively when people drink water contaminated with parasite-infected water fleas. 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl#BeatNTDs
Soil-transmitted helminthiases infections are among the most common infections 🌍 and affect the poorest and most deprived communities.
They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor. 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl
Lymphatic filariasis infection, commonly known as elephantiasis, occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl#BeatNTDs
Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. bit.ly/3scvAhl
In this photo: A mobile team of national health workers performing systematic screening of population for human sleeping sickness in Bodo village, #Chad.
Trachoma the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease is transmitted through contact with eye and nose discharge of infected people, particularly young children 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl#BeatNTDs
Taeniasis or cysticercosis is an infection caused by adult tapeworms in human intestines – can be the result of eating undercooked pork. 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl
Buruli ulcer is a debilitating mycobacterial skin infection causing severe destruction of the skin, bone and soft tissue. Early detection of Buruli ulcer disease is crucial to prevent complications and surgery. 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl#BeatNTDs
Chagas disease is a life-threatening illness transmitted to humans through contact with vector insects (triatomine bugs known as ‘kissing bugs’), ingestion of contaminated food, infected blood transfusions, congenital transmission, organ transplantation or laboratory accidents.
Foodborne trematodiases: People become infected through the consumption of raw fish, crustaceans or vegetables that harbour the parasite larvae 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl#BeatNTDs
In this photo: Man cleaning fish in Thanh Hóa province, #VietNam
Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, is transmitted through the bites of infected female sandflies.
It causes irregular bouts of fever, substantial weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver and anaemia. If untreated, fatality rate can be high. #BeatNCDs
Onchocerciasis – or “river blindness” – is a parasitic disease caused by a filarial worm transmitted by repeated bites of infected blackflies 👉bit.ly/3scvAhl#BeatNTDs
Yaws is a neglected tropical disease that affects the skin, bone & cartilage and can cause chronic disfigurement and disability.👉bit.ly/3scvAhl
In this photo: Health care worker preparing medication in a yaws treatment campaign in West Akim district, #Ghana. #BeatNTDs
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms). Schistosomiasis causes anaemia, stunting and reduces children’s ability to learn.
As we respond to #COVID19, now more than ever, we must ensure routine immunization continues to stop vaccine-preventable diseases and avert the risk of multiple disease outbreaks.
The focus & highest priority remains on prioritizing full #COVID19 protection of the most vulnerable. The roadmap identifies 4 categories of priority-use groups.
New evidence now shows that in 2019 an estimated 1.27 million deaths were directly attributable to #AntimicrobialResistance and 4.95 million deaths were associated with it: study from @IHME_UW
Lack of robust global data and evidence of the impact of drug-resistance has been a critical knowledge gap and has hampered efforts to advocate for policies and practices to control #AntimicrobialResistance.
@DrTedros "The volcanic eruption near #Tonga & tsunami require an urgent response. With telecommunications down, WHO is on the ground helping coordinate the response by channelling information between @UN agencies, humanitarian partners & the government"-@DrTedros
@DrTedros@UN "Information on the degree of destruction is still being gathered but WHO will do all it can to support the people and government of #Tonga"-@DrTedros
WHO recommends two new medicines for #COVID19, providing yet more options for treating the disease bit.ly/3flUftt
Baricitinib, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is strongly recommended for patients with severe or critical #COVID19.
WHO recommends that it is given with corticosteroids bit.ly/3flUftt
WHO has also conditionally recommended the use of sotrovimab for treating mild or moderate #COVID19 in patients who are at high risk of hospitalization: patients who are older, immunocompromised, with underlying conditions & those unvaccinated bit.ly/3flUftt