The World Health Organization developed a proposal and timeline for controlling NTDs that was originally intended to be implemented in June 2020. This roadmap targeted controlling and eliminating specific NTDs by 2030. With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the launch of this program is postponed and other NTD activities have been reduced to prevent additional transmission of the virus. 

WHO pushed back implementation of program to control NTDs

Treating PC-NTDs mandates annual mass treatment with high coverage to reduce infection rates. Unfortunately, an inevitable result of canceling mass treatment programs is infection resurgence. These delays will significantly impact diseases with short elimination timelines, three to five years, such as lymphatic filariasis. Additionally, years of progress could be reversed as is the case with the disruption of treatment cycles for schistosomiasis infections. These global health campaigns have suffered from setbacks in the supply chain, unseasonal rains, conflicts, political campaigning or reduced funding. Despite these obstacles, NTD programs have adapted and are making the necessary accommodations to treat as many populations as possible. 

Disruption of mass treatment programs

Due to disruptions of disease surveillance and evaluation activities, affected communities have needed to efficiently allocate already scant resources. This concern remains especially relevant for schistosomiasis as recent global efforts to record and identify hot spots have been pushed back. 

Proper allocation of minimal resources

- WHO pushed back implementation of program to control NTDs
- Disruption of mass treatment programs
- Proper allocation of minimal resources


Tulane University

The current public health crisis has deployed resources to prevent further infection and to treat those that are infected. This has severely restricted available supplies and personnel thus disrupting other activities of the health sector, such as NTD elimination programs. Around the globe, NTD control programs have been postponed, pushing back mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns. Consequently, disease interventions that involve preventative chemotherapy are temporarily absent, causing certain NTDs to remain untreated.

Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on NTD Control & Prevention

Chaumont, C., Kamara, K., Baring, E., Palacio, K., Power, A., & Lancaster, W. (2020). The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi:e0008680

The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity?

Impact of Disrupting NTD Programs

PC-NTDs risk being permanently deprioritized due to the current unavailability of needed resources. Although NTDs disproportionately affect high risk areas, primarily indigenous populations, their low mortality rate has resulted in reduced support from global health services. The redistribution of resources from NTD elimination programs to Covid-19 support has stalled NTD programming and stretched volunteers and health professionals who have been directed to Covid-19 related services. Long-term funding for NTDs may be impacted if a resurgence of infection pushes elimination goals farther into the future. Additionally, the cost of public health interventions, such as MDA programs that prevent disease resurgence, may increase as a result of the incorporation of safety measures when administering treatments. 


Funding & Political Landscape for NTDs

There are numerous adjustments that must be made to current NTD campaigns in order to remain effective and safe. 
- Adjustments to match availability of resources
- Reduction of community drug distributors
- Covid-19 regulatory compliance

Adaptation of NTD Delivery Programs

The socioeconomic and biological effects of Covid-19 have been historical and the overall impact of the virus has yet to be determined. However, it is without question that certain demographic groups are more vulnerable than others, especially those with preexisting medical conditions. Chagas Disease (CD) is a disorder caused by a parasite, Trypanosoma Cruzi, which affects multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular, digestive and central nervous systems. In fact, chronic CD primarily affects Latin American countries which have been overwhelmed by the pandemic; generally, individuals afflicted with CD suffer from poor healthcare, increasing the likelihood that CD goes undiagnosed and progresses to the chronic stage of infection. Generally, chronic Chagas Disease is characterized by severe cardiac disease resulting in heart attacks. Individuals with chronic CD are more susceptible to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and have largely been excluded from Covid-19 public health campaigns. 

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