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Table 1 Risk factors, comprehensive control measures and endpoint control targets for each of five major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

From: Control of neglected tropical diseases needs a long-term commitment

Disease

Major factors for human infection

Comprehensive control measures

Endpoint targets of control

Onchocerciasis

Parasites

Black flies (transmitting infective larvae during blood feeding)

Human activities (near black fly breeding sites)

Treatment with ivermectin

Health education for self-protection

Case management

Elimination

Lymphatic filariasis

Parasites

Mosquitoes (transmitting infective larvae during blood feeding)

Poor sanitation (mosquito breeding sites)

Human behaviour (without self-protection)

Treatment with albendazole plus ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine

Self-protection (bed net)

Health education for behavioural change

Hygiene and sanitation

Case management

Elimination as a public health problem worldwide by the year 2020

Schistosomiasis

Parasites

Intermediate host snails in fresh water releasing infective larvae

Poor hygiene and sanitation

Human behaviour (water contact and defecating/urinating in/near water)

Treatment with praziquantel

Snail management

Health education for behavioural change

Hygiene and sanitation

Clean water supply

Hospitalisation of severe cases

Morbidity control

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis

Parasites

Poor hygiene and sanitation

Human behaviour (passing eggs to the environment in faeces, barefoot, not washing hands, and so on)

Treatment with albendazole or mebendazole

Health education for behavioural change

Hygiene and sanitation

Clean water supply

Morbidity control

Trachoma

Bacteria

Poor hygiene and sanitation

Human behaviour (lack of facial washing)

SAFE strategy:

Surgical case management (S)

Treatment with azithromycin (A)

Clean water supply for facial washing (F)

Hygiene and sanitation in the environment (E)

Health education for behavioural change

Elimination as a blinding disease worldwide by the year 2020