Global importance of parasitic disease

Abstract 

For some parasitic diseases, such as schistosomiasis, geohelminths, gut protozoa, cysticercosis, hydatid disease and food-borne flukes, prevalence will eventually decrease with improved health education, water supply and sanitation. For vector-borne diseases this is not necessarily so. In many areas, malaria is out of control and there is increasing drug resistance, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It affects all socio-economic groups. The only practical control measures are protection against mosquitoes, such as with insecticide-impregnated bed-nets. Epidemic leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis affects the most vulnerable members of society unable to protect themselves. Major efforts orchestrated by WHO and other international organizations are in the process of eradicating dracunculosis (guinea worm) and also controlling onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Fortunately, so far, the HIV pandemic does not appear to have had a major impact on the existing burden of parasitic disease.

Keywords: parasites, control, HIV, children

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• f1 Correspondence to: JBSC. Tel.: +151-705-3206; E-mail: l.j.taylor@liv.ac.uk