International Day of Neglected Tropical Diseases: Unite. Act. Eliminate

Every year on January 30, the world marks the International Day of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), a day dedicated to raising awareness about a group of diseases that affect over one billion people globally, yet receive far less attention than they deserve.

What Are Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Neglected Tropical Diseases are a diverse group of infectious diseases that thrive in conditions of poverty, limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, and weak health systems. They disproportionately affect the world’s most vulnerable populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

NTDs include diseases such as:

Buruli ulcer

Chagas disease

Dengue/Chikungunya

Dracunculiasis

Echinococcosis

Foodborne trematodiases

Human African trypanosomiasis

Leishmaniasis

Leprosy

Lymphatic filariasis

Mycetoma

Noma

Onchocerciasis

Rabies

Schistosomiasis

Soil-transmitted helminthiases

Taeniasis/cysticercosis

Trachoma

Yaws

Scabies, and

Snakebite envenoming.

10 most common NTD in Nigeria and how to prevent them

1. Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH/Intestinal Worms): Includes Ascariasis (55 million cases), hookworm (38 million), and Trichuriasis (34 million).

Signs

• Abdominal pain, diarrhoea

• Weight loss and poor growth in children

• Anaemia (especially with hookworm)

• Fatigue, weakness

• Worms seen in stool (sometimes)

Transmission

• Contact with soil contaminated with human faeces

• Eating unwashed fruits or vegetables

• Walking barefoot on contaminated soil (hookworm)

How to stay safe

• Wash hands with soap regularly

• Wash and properly cook food

• Use toilets; avoid open defecation

• Wear shoes outdoors

• Regularly deworming, especially for children

2. Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis): Nigeria has the highest burden in Africa, with roughly 29 million people infected.

Signs

• Blood in urine or stool

• Painful urination

• Abdominal pain

• Enlarged liver or spleen (chronic cases)

• Fatigue and anaemia

Transmission

• Skin contact with contaminated freshwater (rivers, lakes, streams)

• Parasites enter through the skin during bathing, swimming, or washing

How to stay safe

• Avoid swimming or bathing in unsafe freshwater

• Use safe water for domestic activities

• Community mass drug administration (praziquantel)

• Improve sanitation and water supply

3. Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis): Affects over 80–121 million people, with 25 million cases and 100 million at risk.

Signs

• Swelling of legs, arms, breasts, or genitals

• Thickened skin

• Recurrent fever and pain

• Disability and social stigma

Transmission

Bite from infected mosquitoes

How to stay safe

• Sleep under insecticide-treated nets

• Reduce mosquito breeding sites

• Participate in mass drug administration

• Early treatment to prevent progression

4. Onchocerciasis (River Blindness): Affects 30 million people, with Nigeria ranking 1st in Africa for prevalence.

Signs

• Severe itching

• Skin rashes and nodules

• Vision problems, blindness

• Skin depigmentation (“leopard skin”)

Transmission

Bite from infected blackflies (near fast-flowing rivers)

How to stay safe

• Avoid blackfly-infested river areas where possible

• Wear long sleeves and trousers

• Community ivermectin distribution

• Vector control around rivers

5. Trachoma: Affects about 18 million people, causing significant risk of blindness.

Signs

• Eye redness and irritation

• Discharge from eyes

• Pain and sensitivity to light

• Inturned eyelashes causing blindness (advanced disease)

Transmission

• Direct contact with eye/nasal discharge

• Flies that land on faces

• Poor hygiene and overcrowding

How to stay safe

• Wash faces regularly (especially children)

• Improve sanitation and water access

• Reduce fly populations

• Antibiotic treatment and surgery where needed (SAFE strategy)

6. Leprosy (Hansen's disease): Nigeria remains one of the top countries with high leprosy incidence.

Signs

• Light or reddish skin patches with loss of sensation

• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet

• Muscle weakness

• Non-healing wounds

Transmission

• Prolonged close contact with untreated infected persons

• Spread through respiratory droplets (low infectivity)

How to stay safe

• Early detection and treatment

• Avoid stigma: treatment stops transmission

• Seek care for unexplained skin patches

• Household screening of contacts

7. Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness): A vector-borne disease prevalent in certain areas.

Signs

• Fever and headaches

• Joint pain

• Sleep disturbances (daytime sleepiness)

• Confusion and behavioural changes (late stage)

Transmission

Bite from infected tsetse flies

How to stay safe

• Avoid tsetse fly areas when possible

• Wear long, neutral-coloured clothing

• Vector control measures

• Early diagnosis and treatment

8. Buruli Ulcer: A skin-destroying infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans.

Signs

• Painless swelling or nodule

• Skin ulcers that enlarge over time

• Tissue destruction if untreated

• Permanent disability

Transmission

• Not fully understood

• Linked to stagnant or slow-moving water

• Possible skin contamination through wounds

How to stay safe

• Clean and protect skin wounds

• Avoid contact with unsafe water

• Early medical care for suspicious skin lesions

• Community awareness and surveillance

9. Rabies: Frequently reported following bites from infected animals.

Signs

• Fever and headache

• Tingling or pain at bite site

• Fear of water (hydrophobia)

• Confusion, agitation

• Death once symptoms appear

Transmission

• Bite or scratch from infected animals (dogs most common)

• Saliva entering broken skin or mucous membranes

How to stay safe

• Vaccinate dogs and pets

• Avoid stray animals

• Wash bites immediately with soap and water

• Seek urgent post-exposure vaccination

10. Snakebite Envenoming: Highly prevalent, causing significant morbidity in rural communities.

Signs

• Severe pain and swelling at bite site

• Bleeding or bruising

• Vomiting, dizziness

• Paralysis or breathing difficulty

• Shock or death (severe cases)

Transmission

Bite from venomous snakes, mostly in rural/farming areas

How to stay safe

• Wear boots and protective clothing while farming

• Use torchlight at night

• Keep surroundings clear of bushes

• Seek immediate medical care—avoid traditional remedies

While many of these diseases are preventable or treatable, they continue to cause chronic illness, disability, stigma, and lost productivity for millions.

Why Are They “Neglected”?

NTDs are called “neglected” not because they are rare, but because they primarily affect populations with limited political voice and economic power. As a result, funding, research, and public awareness have historically lagged behind their true burden.

This neglect perpetuates a cycle where disease fuels poverty, and poverty fuels disease.

The Human and Economic Cost

Beyond physical suffering, NTDs lead to long-term disability, reduced school attendance, loss of income, and social exclusion. Entire communities bear the consequences when preventable diseases remain uncontrolled.

Eliminating NTDs is not only a health imperative, it is an economic and social one.

Progress Is Possible

Despite the challenges, progress has been made. Mass drug administration, improved surveillance, vector control, and stronger partnerships have led to the elimination of some NTDs in several countries.

These successes show that NTDs can be controlled and eliminated

with sustained commitment, adequate funding, and integrated health systems.

On this International Day of Neglected Tropical Diseases, we are reminded that no disease should persist simply because the people affected are poor or invisible. NGOs like Uniting to Combat NTDs are already leading the way. You can partner with them or start your own movement.

Health is a human right. Ending the neglect of NTDs is a crucial step toward achieving universal health coverage, reducing inequality, and building healthier, more resilient communities.

Join Eustar and Gold to spread the word.

Together, we can move from neglect to action and from disease to dignity.