What are neglected tropical diseases?

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 illnesses that occur primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. They impact approximately 1.6 billion people in 149 countries around the world; affecting those who live in poverty and have limited access to adequate healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities. NTDs cause illness, death, disability and disfigurement. They result in stigma, social exclusion, school absenteeism and lost productivity. Due to poor health and limited ability to spend on healthcare, people with NTDs often get caught in a cycle of poverty.

Global partnerships and unprecedented pharmaceutical donations have resulted in a great deal of progress toward the goals of control and elimination of NTDs. More than one billion people received treatment in 2017 and 31 countries have eliminated at least one NTD since 2012.

Further information is available in the Resources section.

The World Health Organization identifies 20 diseases as neglected tropical diseases. These include:

  1. Buruli ulcer
  2. Chagas disease
  3. Dengue and severe dengue
  4. Dracunculiasis
  5. Echinococcosis
  6. Foodborne trematodiases
  7. Human African Trypanososmiasis (sleeping sickness)
  8. Leishmaniasis
  9. Leprosy
  10. Lymphatic filariasis
  11. Mycetoma
  12. Onchocerciasis
  13. Rabies
  14. Scabies
  15. Schistosomiasis
  16. Soil-transmitted helminth infections
  17. Snakebite envenomation
  18. Taeniasis/cysticercosis
  19. Trachoma
  20. Yaws