Preventing and controlling neglected parasitic zoonoses: a key role for the animal health sector

Overview

Neglected Parasitic Zoonoses

These diseases are caused by parasites such as Taenia solium, Trichinella, Echinococcus and Fasciola. They are often forgotten or overlooked because:

• they cause mild, chronic or no disease in animals
• economic losses might not be evident
• primarily affect the most vulnerable and marginalised communities

they cause mild, chronic or no disease in animals economic losses might not be evident primarily affect the most vulnerable and marginalised communities

Disease impact

The disease impact is underestimated, and current data is likely to only represent the tip of the iceberg.

• Taenia solium: 2.8million disability adjusted life years (DALYs). The total number of people suering from neurocysticercosis is estimated to be between 2.56 and 8.30 million.
• Echinococcus: More than 1 million people are aected with echinococcosis at any one time.
• Trichinella: 10,000 infections annually worldwide
• Fasciola: At least 2.4 million people are infected in more than 70 countries, with several million at risk.

Actions for the Animal health sector

The animal health sector can contribute to preventing and controling neglected parasitic zoonoses

For a more effective, efficient and sustainable control of neglected zoonoses, collaborating with other sectors under the One-Health approach is essential