Seven Most common Tropical Diseases as Identified by the Global Health Network:
1. Ascariasis - "Round worm" is an intestinal parasitic infection common in tropical and subtropical climates of the world.
2. Hookworm - an intestinal parasite found in tropical and sub-tropical Africa and Latin America.
3. Lymphatic Filiariasis - "Elephantiasis" is caused by a parasitic worm that invades the lymphatic system of humans causing extreme swelling of extremities and genitals. This condition is also found in tropical and sub-tropical areas.
4. Onchoceriasis "River Blindness" is common in sub-Saharan Africa. It is transmitted by Simuluim black flies that live near bodies of fast moving water. The flies carry larvae of a parasitic worm that multiplies in the skin of the host and travels throughout the body often causing blindness.
5. Schistosomiasis "Snail Fever" is caused by a parasite that lives within snails in streams. When the larvae are released from the snails into the water, they swim until they penetrate the skin of a host. Larvae may travel to body organs where they cause major pathology especially in the liver, kidneys, bladder, intestines, spleen and lungs.
6. Trachoma is caused by a bacteria, chlamydia trachomatis, and is transmitted from eye discharges of an infected person. It is common in poor communitieis in Africa and Asia.
7. Trichuriasis "Whip worm" is caused by the infestion of a parasite commonly found in humid, tropical climates. The worm lives in the intestinal tract of the host and results in anemia and stunted growth in children.
