Senegal hosts first meeting of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) initiative Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE) on Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)
Senegal hosts first meeting of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) initiative Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE) on Neglected Tropical Disease (NDT).
GONE, launched in January 2023, empower countries to accelerate progress towards onchocerciasis targets set in 2030 Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) roadmap of WHO.
Onchocerciasis, commonly known as “river blindness”, is caused by parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus that spreads by the bites of infected black flies that breed in rapidly flowing rivers.
- It is the second leading infectious cause of blindness after trachoma.
- Symptoms: Intense itching, rashes, skin discoloration, visual impairment and permanent blindness.
- Africa is home to 99% of people at risk of onchocerciasis; the remaining 1% lives on border between Brazil and Venezuela.
- Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico have been verified by WHO for eliminating transmission of disease.
NTDs are a diverse group of 20 conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they affect more than 1 billion people who live in impoverished communities.
- Caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.
- NTDs include: Dengue and chikungunya, Rabies, leishmaniasis; leprosy; lymphatic filariasis etc.
- India has successfully eliminated certain NTDs like guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws.
Initiatives to tackle NTDs
- London Declaration on NTDs.
- 30th January recognised as World NTDs Day.
- Kigali declaration on NTDs adopts the targets to eradicate or control NTDs by 2030.
- WHO launched mobile application to facilitate diagnosis of NTDs.