NTDs

Question 1

Requirements for elimination or eradication of NTDs?

Answer 1

1) Biologic factors
2) Social and political factors

Question 2

What are the biologic factors for elimination of NTDs?

Answer 2

-Intervention to interrupt transmission
-Practical diagnostic tools for surveillance w good sens/spec
-No animal reservoir

Question 3

What are the social and political factors for elimination of NTDs?

Answer 3

-Must be widely recognized to be important
-Elimination must be seen as worthy goal
-Technical feasible intervention proven to work
-Political commitment at the highest level
-Advocacy plan must have been prepared

Question 4

What is the WHO definition of an NTD?

Answer 4

-Disproportionately affects populations living in poverty;
causes morbidity and mortality including stigma
and discrimination justifying a global
response
* Primarily affects populations living in tropical and sub-tropical areas
* Is amenable to broad control, elimination or eradication through preventive chemotherapy, intensified or innovative case management, vector control or veterinary public health
* Is relatively neglected by research – i.e., resource allocation is not commensurate with the magnitude of the problem - when it comes to developing new diagnostics, medicines and other control tools.

Question 5

Definition of elimination of a NTD?

Answer 5

Reduction to zero of the incidence of a disease in a defined geographical
area
* Continued interventions required to prevent re-introduction
* Example: Polio in the Americas

Question 6

Definition of eradication of an NTD?

Answer 6

Permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidence of infection caused by a specific agent
* Intervention measures no longer needed
* Example: smallpox