Raising the Political Profile of the Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Three Complementary European Commission-Funded Projects to Streamline Research, Build Capacity and Advocate for Control

摘要

The World Health Organisation identifies eight Neglected Zoonotic Diseases (NZDs) as major causes of ill health to both humans and domestic animals in many countries across the world [1–3]. Although largely controlled or eradicated in industrialised nations, these eight NZDs—anthrax, brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis (bTB), Taenia solium cysticercosis, cystic echinococcus, leishmaniasis, rabies, and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT)—still cause significant health problems in many low resource settings in developing nations [1–7]. The poor remain disproportionately affected by NZDs through a combination of close contact with domestic animals (particularly in rural settings), and the difficulties of accessibility, affordability, and capacity of local health centres. Aside from the significant human mortality and morbidity caused by NZDs, their added impact on livestock productivity—including decreased fecundity, poor growth rates, lowered draft power outputs, decreased carcass value, and deadly epidemics—further contribute to the burden of NZDs on poor livelihoods. NZD control offers a powerful opportunity to simultaneously save lives and secure livelihoods, contributing to poverty alleviation within affected communities [2].