Tropical Infections

 Tropical infections basically focus on hot and humid conditions of the tropics. They are caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites and spread via airborne transmission, sexual contact or contaminated food and water sources. Some viral tropical infections include dengue, yellow fever, and rotavirus, AIDS, Ebola and Lassa fever. Some examples of bacterial tropical infections include cholera, Escherichia coli, tuberculosis and Hansen’s disease (leprosy).   The CDC and WHO have programs aimed at identifying the areas where these neglected tropical infections are most common. Basically all these types of programs are created to control and eliminate tropical diseases. In May 2009, President Barack Obama announced the United States Global Health Initiative — a government-funded program aimed at eliminating and controlling neglected tropical infections.   Neglected tropical infections affect the poorest countries, including 149 countries and more than 1.4 billion people. They cost developing countries billions of dollars every year. These include: Buruli ulcer; Chagas’ disease; Cysticercosis; Dengue fever; Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease); Echinococcosis;     The CDC and WHO have programs aimed at identifying the areas where these neglected tropical infections are most common. In May 2009, President Barack Obama announced the United States Global Health Initiative — a government-funded program aimed at eliminating and controlling neglected tropical infections.