Neglected Tropical Diseases, relevant epidemiological aspects and their surveillance in Spain

Abstract

Introduction: neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases that are mainly prevalent in impoverished tropical communities. They are considered neglected because they do not receive enough resources to reduce their morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to improve our knowledge about NTDs´ situation in Spain, in terms of endemicity, occurrence and their emerging potential.

Method: a two-phase review was performed. First, data sources (RAE-CMBD, BDCAP and National Epidemiological Surveillance Network) as well as official documents were consulted. If the information was scarce or limited after this search, a narrative search was done in the second phase by consulting the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. 

Results: Chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniases, hydatidosis, leprosy and rabies are notifiable diseases at national level. Fascioliasis, scabies, snakebite poisoning and taeniasis are endemic, but non-reportable diseases. Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, African trypanosomiasis, mycetoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, tungiasis, yaws, trachoma, Buruli ulcer, dracunculiasis, chromoblastomycosis, sporotrichosis and paracoccidioidomycosis are non-endemic, non-reportable diseases. In this review, scabies, dengue and leishmaniases have been considered emerging due to the increase in the number of recent cases, and the geographical expansion of the Aedes albopictus vector, and leishmaniases.

Discussion: Although NTDs are not a priority issue on the health agenda of high-income countries, they suppose a threat to global public health. Joining international efforts in response to the WHO’s 2021-2030 Roadmap for NTDs is the only way to mitigate risks that have no borders.