How Much Do You Know About Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Psoriasis not a neglected tropical disease, but is an auto-immune disease that affects around 7.5 million people. The three other diseases (Ascariasis, Schistosomiasis, and Onchocerciasis) affect anywhere from 26 million to 1 billion people. Neglected tropical diseases ( NTDs) are the most common afflictions of the world's poorest people, affecting more than half a billion children around the world.

Trachoma is an infectious disease of the eye usually found in places with poor health conditions. Repeated exposure to Trachoma can lead to irreversible blindness.

Lymphatic Filariasis, more commonly known as Elephantiasis, is a disease that affects more than 120 million people in 80 countries worldwide. The disease is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and is usually characterized by extreme swelling.

It costs .02$ to pay for the pill (Albenzadole) that treats whipworm. That means you could treat 105 people for the cost of a medium coffee from Starbucks (2.10$)

Schistosomiasis (snail fever) is transmitted when a person comes into contact with contaminated fresh water. The parasite that causes snail fever can be contracted when swimming, bathing, or even fishing in this contaminated water.

Children are the most at risk for this disease because of their tendency to to play in the dirt. Unfortunately, this parasite is transmitted via contaminated soil. (The picture shows a mass of Ascariasis passed by a child in Africa)

99% of all river blindness cases are found in Africa. River blindness is caused by Simulium black flies that carry a parasite that invades the body and can cause anything from skin rashes to blindness. It is usually found near fast-moving rivers or streams in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that when left untreated can lead to serious consequences. It has been shown that chronic hookworm infection in children contributes to physical and intellectual impairment, learning difficulties and poor school performance.

Snail fever is not caused by STHs, but is a parasitic disease carried by fresh water snails. Soil transmitted helminths (parasitic worms) cause diseases that affect an estimated 700 million people. The picture depicts how STHs spread and cause disease.

Although vaccinations are in the development process for both hookworm and Schistosomiasis, there are currently no vaccines being distributed for any of the 7 most common NTDs.

All of the 7 most common NTDS can be treated and prevented with medicine administered to entire communities at once in mass drug administrations (or MDAs)

It costs less than 50 cents per year to treat and protect one person from the most common NTDs. Donate here: https://globalnetworks.netdonor.net/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1737&ea.campaign.id=44577