Neglected tropical diseases rife in Africa

The problem of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is on the rise, according to a new study.

The burden of NTDs falls heavily upon the region, with around 500 million people affected by the diseases, research from the Sabin Vaccine Institute suggested.

In total, the toll of NTDs could be as much as double that of TB and one half of the burden of malaria in SSA.

Professor Peter Hotez, co-author of the analysis and president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, said: "It is appalling that helminth infections and other NTDs are having such a devastating impact on the poor in SSA, given that we have effective treatments to alleviate their sufferings.

The authors added in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Disease: "A full analysis of all Africa's NTDs is an essential step towards prioritising these conditions relative to ongoing HIV/AIDs and malaria control efforts."

Helminth infections make up an estimated 85 per cent of SSA's NTD problem.

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