Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of infectious diseases that primarily affect populations living in low-resource and underserved settings, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization currently recognizes 21 neglected tropical diseases, which continue to impact over a billion people worldwide. These diseases are closely linked to poverty, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Although many NTDs are preventable and treatable, they cause significant disability, stigma, and socioeconomic burden. Addressing NTDs requires integrated approaches that combine research, public health interventions, and community engagement to improve health outcomes.

Rabies

Rabies kills, but it is 100% preventable.

It spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most commonly dogs.

  • Any animal bite is an emergency
  • Wash the wound immediately
  • Seek medical care without delay

Leprosy

Leprosy is a treatable disease, but late diagnosis and social stigma continue to cause unnecessary disability.

  • Early detection prevents complications
  • Treatment stops transmission
  • Awareness breaks stigma

Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis spreads through the bite of infected blackflies near rivers, not through water itself.
Early treatment can prevent blindness.
Awareness is the first step.

Mycetoma

Mycetoma continues to affect the most vulnerable — often unnoticed until it causes severe damage.
Early detection can change everything, yet access and awareness remain limited.

Snakebite Envenoming

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease, resulting from the penetration of snake fangs into the skin and the subsequent injection of venom.

Antivenom - along with aggressive supportive care- is the mainstay of treatment for patients with anything
more than the mildest envenomation grade.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies — not water, not contact, but a preventable vector.
A small bite can lead to serious consequences if ignored.
Early detection makes the difference.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is transmitted by mosquito bites, especially Aedes mosquitoes that breed in clean, standing water around homes.

Small actions matter:
Remove stagnant water. Protect against bites. Act early.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis spreads through everyday contact with contaminated water — silently affecting millions, especially in vulnerable communities.

Preventable. Treatable. Still neglected.

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

Health systems

When healthcare systems collapse, diseases don’t disappear — they return stronger, spreading faster among the most vulnerable.
Neglect creates the conditions.
Action is what stops it.