Context:
The inaugural gathering of the Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE) was held in Senegal, facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- 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”
- Caused by – Parasitic worm
- Transmission – It spreads by the bites of infected black flies that breed in rapidly flowing rivers.
- 2nd leading infectious cause of blindness after trachoma.
- Status –
- Africa – Home to 99% of people at risk of onchocerciasis
- Remaining 1% lives on border between Brazil and Venezuela.
- Countries verified by WHO for eliminating transmission of disease – Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico
About Neglected Tropical Diseases:
- A diverse group of 20 conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas
- Affects 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.
- Status of India –
- India carries the largest burden of at least 11 of these diseases.
- India has successfully eliminated certain NTDs like guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws.
Elimination efforts on NTDs:
- Global Scenario –
- 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.
- Indian Scenario –
- Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) – Part of intensifying efforts towards the elimination of NTDs.
- Regional Alliance for Kala-azar Control: India, Bangladesh, Nepal alliance aids early diagnosis, treatment, and sandfly control with WHO’s support.
Source: WHO
Previous Year Question
Consider the following diseases:
1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer: (b)
