Latin America: Parasite causes chronic ill health
New global effort to eliminate chagas disease by 2010
A tropical disease which affects millions in Latin America and elsewhere is to be eliminated by 2010 if efforts by the World Health Organization [WHO] and partners are successful. Chagas disease, caused by a parasite, can lead to an infection which causes chronic debilitation due to progressive destruction of the heart muscle.
Countries in Latin America where the disease is endemic have made huge efforts to control the infection. However, it is no longer confined to the Americas and cases have been identified in non–endemic regions in Europe, Canada and the United States.
The WHO strategy is designed to answer key questions about the treatment and control of the disease and co–ordinate global efforts towards the prevention of transmission through a new global network.
Comprised of technical groups of experts, the WHO network for chagas elimination will focus on several key aspects of the problem which include:
To support the goal of eliminating chagas, the network will develop a strategy before the end of 2007. The network is also supported by the pharmaceutical industry which is providing financial support along with donations of one of two drugs known to be an effective treatment for the disease.
For further information visit the WHO website at: http://www.who.int.
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