Tropical Diseases and Cure

Most common NTDs: Causes and Treatments

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. It costs less than 50 cents per year to treat and protect one person from the most common NTDs. Most NTDs can be treated and prevented with medicine administered to entire communities at once in mass drug administrations (or MDAs). NTDs such as Schistosomiasis and Onchocerciasis are normally caused by worms or bacteria and occur in tropical climates. These diseases can be treated very cheaply using a 'rapid impact package' comprising five drugs that need only be taken once a year and do not require refrigeration. Such NTD interventions typically have a range of additional positive side effects.  Other NTDs can be managed through available, low-cost measures.