1.30 - World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

1.30 - World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

Learn more about neglected tropical diseases

What are neglected tropical diseases?

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are an ancient class of impoverishing diseases that are prevalent in 149 developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. These diseases are mostly caused by pathogens such as parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, and mainly include 21 diseases (types) such as Chagas disease, echinococcosis, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, food-borne trematodes, tapeworms and cysticercosis, African trypanosomiasis, dracunculiasis, dengue fever and chikungunya, scabies and external parasites, rabies, Buruli ulcer, leprosy, blinding trachoma, yaws, snake bites, mycetoma and other deep fungal diseases and gangrenous stomatitis. These diseases impose a devastating human, social and economic burden on more than 1 billion people worldwide, costing developing countries billions of dollars each year and trapping many families in a cycle of poverty.

With the right treatments and interventions, neglected tropical diseases are preventable, controllable, and in many cases eradicated.

Why is it called a neglected disease?

Because these diseases are mainly prevalent among poor people in tropical and subtropical areas with hot and humid climates, these people are often neglected due to their lack of social status. Even in the current era of universal health coverage, the resources invested in the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases are very limited.

The history of Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

Since 2019, the Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Partners have organized various activities on January 30th of each year, lighting up iconic monuments and buildings to call for attention to neglected tropical diseases. On May 31, 2021, the World Health Assembly officially confirmed January 30th of each year as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day to call on the world to pay attention to the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases, commend the achievements made, and gain more support for the control and elimination of these diseases.

In 2024, the theme of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is "Unite. Act. Eliminate", calling on everyone to work together to prevent, control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases.

What are the prevalent NTDs in our country?

"Neglected tropical diseases" are an important public health issue in my country. China is seriously affected by at least 11 types/groups of "neglected tropical diseases", among which lymphatic filariasis, visceral leishmaniasis, Japanese schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, echinococcosis, foodborne trematodes and tapeworm/cysticercosis are parasitic diseases that were once prevalent or are still prevalent in my country.

What is the progress in the prevention and control of these parasitic diseases?

my country's neglected tropical diseases have entered a new stage of control or elimination. In 2007, my country eliminated filariasis. By the end of 2023, schistosomiasis in my country will reach the transmission blocking standard. Visceral leishmaniasis is at a low level of prevalence. The prevalence of echinococcosis has been basically controlled. The infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes and food-borne parasites are on a downward trend. However, the elimination process of key parasitic diseases in various regions is uneven. The risk of parasitic disease transmission in some local areas is still high. There is also the risk of importation of neglected tropical diseases. There is still a long way to go in prevention and control.

**Neglected tropical diseases are mostly infectious diseases. Improving people's awareness of hygienic behavior and developing good hygienic behavior habits are the most economical and effective prevention and control measures. **For example, wash hands before and after meals, do not drink raw water, do not eat unclean raw fruits and vegetables, and uncooked meat to prevent diseases from entering the body through the mouth; take good personal protection to prevent mosquito bites, avoid contact with infected water and work barefoot.