Deworming recommended in Rwanda

Researchers have called for regular deworming of young people in Rwanda.

Experts from the Rwanda Access Project at Imperial College London and Columbia University found that there is a link to parasitic infections and excessive weight loss.

People in the north of the country infected with more than two types of parasitic worm are more likely to be underweight than those with one or no infection.

Underweight and undernourished children and adolescents in Rwanda are more likely to develop more serious health problems if their infections go unchecked

Dr Artemis Koukounari, corresponding author of the paper, said that the repercussions of allowing diseases to spread goes beyond health.

"Parasitic worm infections are very common in low-income countries such as Rwanda," he commented.

"We believe that sustainable efforts to deworm the young people in Rwanda must continue in order to offer a worm-free generation whose physical and cognitive development can be strong so that economic development of the country can continue."

Anaemia is one disease more likely in underweight people.

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