With the changing climate, there is more discussion about NTDs affecting areas beyond the tropics. In August, Maryland reported its first case of locally acquired malaria in more than four decades.
Pages - Maryland Department of Health announces positive case of locally acquired malaria
"Climate change will increasingly lead to the emergence and re-emergence of multiple NTDs, posing a major risk for communities. Infectious diseases like NTDs are highly influenced by climatic change: Even small climate fluctuations can greatly increase transmission and spread, with potentially devastating effects. The changing climate will also disrupt temperature and rainfall patterns, exacerbating poverty and displacement, increasing the risks of NTDs."
Neglected Tropical Diseases: Integrate to Eliminate
Dengue is another example of the rising risk of a climate sensitive disease. It recently joined the list for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi): Neglected tropical diseases go global, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | DNDi
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - leaves disfiguring life long scars
Chagas- causes heart and vital organ damage
Dengue- no specific treatment
Filaria (river blindness)
Mycetoma- infection from stepping on a thorn, often ends with amputation
Sleeping Sickness- transmitted by a fly, leads to neurological disorders
Visceral Leishmaniasis - parasite spread by sandfly bite
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Christopher Boyce Ph.D.
Associate Principal Scientist
Merck and Co Inc
[email protected]
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
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