Neglected Tropical Diseases
These diseases are present in Latin America. They are treatable, but lack of access to treatment causes a high prevalence of these diseases among marginalized populations, including the indigenous population, those living in remote areas, and those living in urban slums.
Lymphatic filariasis
Lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease in which the lymphatic system is invaded by nematodes. This can cause a decreased immune response, swelling, fluid accumulation, and tissue thickening of various body parts, such as the limbs. The Wold Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.3 billion people around the world are at risk of contracting the disease. Current efforts to eradicate this disease involve mass drug administration.
Photo courtesy of TropIKA.net:
http://www.tropika.net/svc/news/20080226/Souza20080226a
Photo courtesy of TropIKA.net:
http://www.tropika.net/svc/news/20080226/Souza20080226a
Onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a parasitic disease which causes skin lesions, skin depigmentation, and sometimes blindness. The parasite is transferred to hosts by flies, so efforts in eradication are focused on the spraying of insecticide in fly breeding areas and the distribution of drugs to infected persons.
Photo courtesy of D.O.L.F.
http://www.dolf.wustl.edu/?page_id=105
Photo courtesy of D.O.L.F.
http://www.dolf.wustl.edu/?page_id=105
Trachoma
Trachoma is a disease caused by infection by microorganisms. It is characterized by a folding of the eyelid, which after repeated infection can become so severe that the eyelashes rub on the cornea. This leads to irreversible blindness by the age of 30 or 40. This disease is transferred by contact with the microorganism through flies or contact with discharge from the eye. This becomes especially prevalent in areas without proper sanitation. WHO estimates that the disease affects 84 million people, and efforts to eradicate this disease include eyelid surgery, antibiotics, and teaching facial cleanliness. Environmental changes are also being advocated to reduce the prevalence of risk factors such as water shortage.
Photo courtesy of BZ Health Tips:
http://bzhealthtips.com/
Photo courtesy of BZ Health Tips:
http://bzhealthtips.com/
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease contracted by contact with infected water. The most common form of the disease in Latin America is intestinal, which results in abdominal pain, swelling of abdominal organs, and blood in the stool. This disease is most common in areas of poverty due to a lack of safe drinking water and proper sanitation, which would prevent contamination of clean water sources. WHO estimates that over 230 million people around the world require treatment for this disease. Treatment includes drugs, efforts to provide safer water and proper sanitation, and community health education.
Photo courtesy of the World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/wormcontrol/statistics/useful_info/en/index1.html
Photo courtesy of the World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/wormcontrol/statistics/useful_info/en/index1.html
Sources:
1. Schneider, M. C., X. P. Aguilera, J. Barbosa Da Silva Jr., S. K. Ault, P. Najera, et al. "Elimination of Neglected Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Mapping of Selected Diseases." PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 5.2 (2011): E964. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.
2."Lymphatic Filariasis." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/.
3. "Onchocerciasis." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/topics/onchocerciasis/en/.
4. "Priority Eye Diseases." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index2.html.
5."Schistosomiasis." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs115/en/index.html.
1. Schneider, M. C., X. P. Aguilera, J. Barbosa Da Silva Jr., S. K. Ault, P. Najera, et al. "Elimination of Neglected Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Mapping of Selected Diseases." PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 5.2 (2011): E964. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.
2."Lymphatic Filariasis." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/.
3. "Onchocerciasis." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/topics/onchocerciasis/en/.
4. "Priority Eye Diseases." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index2.html.
5."Schistosomiasis." World Health Organization (WHO). WHO. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs115/en/index.html.