Parasitic Diseases
Technical Documents
Technical Documents
CD48/19-RIMSA15
(2/Sep/2008)
en español 
(110.2k)
CD48/10: Towards the Elimination of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) in the Region of the Americas
This report from the 48th session of the PAHO Directing Council reports on the current situation and progress made towards achieving the PAHO mandate of eliminating onchocercaisis (river blindness) from the Region of the Americas.(14/Aug/2008)
In English (157.94k)
en español (157.56k)
en Français (151.09k)
em Português (161.38k)
Preventive Chemotherapy in Human Helminthiasis--Controlled Use of Antihelminthic Drugs: A Manual for Health Professionals and Programme Managers
This manual is intended to guide the coordinated implementation of regular,
systematic, large-scale interventions that provide anthelminthic drug treatment as a core component of the joint and synergic control of helminthic diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. The manual is accompanied by the dose-poles (in poster format, to display proper dosage by height).(23/Jun/2008)
In English WHO
10 Facts about Neglected Tropical Diseases
These ten facts provide a basic overview on what constitutes neglected tropical diseases and what is being done to combat them.(23/Jun/2008)
In English WHO
Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control at PAHO
This page describes the PAHO Technical Area for Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control(HSD), its mission and objectives, what it does in terms of projects and activities. It contains links to the four technical groups and the Pan American Center under its umbrella. Note: Prior to June 2006, the Area was named Disease Prevention and Control.(3/Jun/2008)
In English 
(5.65k)
en español (6.44k)
CE142/18: Onchocerciasis: Progress Report
This report from the PAHO Executive Committee gives an account of the current situation and progress made towards complying with the PAHO mandate of eliminating onchocerciasis (river blindness) from the Americas.(22/May/2008)
In English (115.16k)
en español (116.54k)
Leishmaniasis: Guía operativa para el control en Bolivia
Esta guía operativa fue producida por el Ministerio de Salud y Deportes para la atención de la leishmaniasis y los servicios sanitarios correspondentes.(31/Dec/2007)
en español Guía operativa
PAHO/WHO Preparatory Meeting on Epidemiological Data Needed to Plan Elimination of Schistosomiasis in the Caribbean (St. George, Grenada, 13–14 December 2007)
Schistosomiasis or snail fever, a neglected parasitic disease affecting the poor, remains endemic in parts of Brazil, Venezuela, and the Caribbean. The primary objective of this meeting was to meet and interchange with national authorities and schistosomiasis specialists to gauge the level of interest and estimate the time frame and resources needed for elimination of Schistosomiasis in the Caribbean. It covered surveillance, treatment, ecological and epidemiological issues. This page contains a summary, the presentations, and the final report.(14/Dec/2007)
In English (9.18k)
en español (10.17k)
Update of American Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis Control and Research: Final Report (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 6–7 November 2007)
The objective of this meeting was to set up an information platform on control and research gaps in American Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis in order to establish a road map for academia and control programs. This 176-page report contains a series of technical papers in two parts: (I) Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), with 20 short papers and abstracts; and (II) Leishmaniasis, with 8.(7/Nov/2007)
In English (1965.27k)
CSP27.R10: Regional Policy and Strategy for Ensuring Quality of Health Care, Including Patient Safety
This resolution from the 27th Pan American Sanitary Conference in 2007 sets forth the PAHO mandate for providing effective, safe, efficient, accessible,
appropriate, and satisfactory care for users, recognizing that policies are needed in the health sector that will impact the health care continuum, foster citizen involvement, and promote a culture of quality and safety in health care institution.(3/Oct/2007)
In English CSP27.R10
en español CSP27.R10
en Français CSP27.R10
em Português CSP27.R10
Global Plan to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2008–2015
The WHO Global Plan to Combat NTDs Global Plan has been formulated according to the following key principles: the right to health; existing health systems as a setting for interventions; a coordinated, multi-disease response by the health system; integration and equity; and intensified control of diseases alongside pro-poor policies. This page contains the executive summary plus a link to the full text.(24/Aug/2007)
In English (8.99k)
en español (10.88k)
en Français (10.49k)
em Português (11.18k)
Workshop on Geohelminth Control in the Countries of Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic (Copán Ruinas, Honduras, 24–26 July 2007)
Currently soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) cause serious illness and sometimes permanent disability. These parasitic diseases are much more frequent in women, children, marginalized populations living in extreme poverty, and migrant workers. This meeting presented the epidemiological situation and activities being carried out for prevention and control and explored opportunities for implementing or strengthening deparasitization/deworming programs in the countries. This page offers a summary and access to the final report in Spanish.(27/Jul/2007)
In English (9.7k)
en español (9.99k)
(290k)
PAHO Regional Program on Leishmaniasis: Fighting a Neglected Tropical Disease Affecting the Poorest of the Poor
This page describes the challenges faced by the Regional Program on Leishmaniasis in fighting one of the most neglected of tropical diseases that affects the most neglected populations, as well as describing its main activities and providing summary information on the disease definition and its distribution in the Americas.(12/Jul/2007)
In English (5.26k)
en español (6.1k)
Neglected Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Hidden Killers of Productivity and Economic Development
This brochure on neglected diseases, especially designed for potential donors, describes the challenges and burden of these diseases--which overwhelmingly affect the poorest and most vulnerable populaltions--and the opportunities for their control and elimination. It complements the program's poster and fact sheet.(26/Jun/2007)
In English (302.9k)
WHA60.25: Integrating Gender Analysis and Actions into the Work of WHO: Draft Strategy
This resolution from the 60th World Health Assembly in 2007 sets forth the WHO mandate to analyze the data and act in ensuring and integrating gender equality into all health-related areas and all levels of health-care delivery and services for women and girls of all ages.(23/May/2007)
In English WHA60.25
en español WHA60.25
en Français WHA60.25
Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in the English- and French-Speaking Caribbean: Towards World Health Assembly Resolution 54.19 (Kingston, Jamaica, 15–17 May 2007)
The overall objective of this workshop was to advocate towards the WHA 54.19 (2001) goals, specifically by (1) raising awareness of WHA 54.19 in the Caribbean and the 2010 goal to deworm 75% to 100% of school-age children at risk for worm infection and morbidity; (2) providing a forum for interchange on current deworming activities in the participating countries; (3) providing an opportunity for them to lay the groundwork for developing national action plans for deworming at-risk school-age children; and (4) presenting an overview of the technical resources available from PAHO/WHO and other partners. This page provides a summary and the full-text report in PDF.
(17/May/2007)
In English (11.42k)
(967.99k)
en español (12.61k)
A Turning Point 2007: Report of the Global Partners' Meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases (Geneva, Switzerland, 19-20 April 2007)
An estimated one billion people--one sixth of the world’s population--are infected with one or more neglected tropical diseases. These diseases are largely ancient infectious diseases that thrive in impoverished settings, especially in the heat and humidity of tropical climates. This meeting of 200 key international partners declared to the world that control of these diseases deserves high priority on the global public health agenda and still greater determination to deliver appropriate health care to the millions of poor people in need.(20/Apr/2007)
In English WHO
Neglected Tropical Diseases: Preventive Chemotherapy and Transmission Control
This brochure outlines how preventive chemotherapy can be used to reach the un-reached affected by lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminths, with low-cost tools yielding high payoffs.(31/Dec/2006)
In English WHO
Schistosomiasis (TDR Fact Sheet and Research Resource Page)
This page provides basic information and access to WHO resources on Schistosomiasis is also known as bilharzia or snail fever. Considered a neglected tropical disease mainly affecting the poor, the disease is often associated with water resource development projects, such as dams and irrigation schemes, where the snail intermediate hosts of the parasite breed.(20/Oct/2006)
In English WHO/TDR
Lymphatic Filariasis (TDR Fact Sheet and Research Resource Page)
This page offers access to WHO resources on LF: Rarely life-threatening, lymphatic filariasis causes widespread and chronic suffering, disability, and social stigma. It can lead to grotesquely swollen limbs--a condition known as elephantiasis. It is endemic in seven countries of the Americas.(20/Oct/2006)
In English WHO/TDR
Schistosomiasis (WHO Fact Sheet No. 115)
This official WHO fact sheet provides basic information on the disease. Among human parasitic diseases, schistosomiasis (sometimes called bilharziasis or bilharzia) ranks second behind malaria in terms of socioeconomic and public-health importance in tropical and subtropical areas. The disease is endemic in many developing countries in the Region, mostly infecting the poor living in rural agricultural and periurban areas. Many suffer severe consequences from the disease and many more are symptomatic, mostly children under 14.(20/Oct/2006)
In English WHO
en Français OMS
Onchocerciasis (TDR Fact Sheet and Research Resource Page)
This page provides basic information on onchocerciasis (river blindness), an insect-borne disease caused by a parasite Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted by blackflies of the species Simulium damnosum. Onchocerciasis is often called “river blindness” because the blackfly that transmits the disease abounds in fertile riverside areas that frequently remain uninhabited for fear of infection--thus making the diseases a serious obstacle to socioeconomic development. O. volvulus is almost exclusively a human parasite. Adult worms live in nodules in a human body where the female worms produce high numbers of first-stage larvae known as microfilariae. They migrate from the nodules to the subepidermal layer of the skin where they can be ingested by blackflies. They further develop in the body of the insect from which more people can be infected. Eye lesions in humans are caused by microfilariae. They can be found in all internal tissues of the eye--except the lens--where they cause eye inflammation, bleeding, and other complications that ultimately lead to blindness.(20/Oct/2006)
In English WHO/TDR
en Français OMS
Geographic Distribution of Onchocerciasis in the Americas
This map shows the distribution of onchocerciasis (river blindness) in the countries of the Americas.(20/Oct/2006)
In English WHO
Lymphatic Filariasis (WHO Fact Sheet No. 102)
This official fact sheet from WHO provides basic information on lymphatic filariasis (LF or elephantiasis), a parasitic disease from the worm Wuchereria bancrofti that is still endemic in seven countries of the Americas. It seriously incapacitates and disfigures those affected, thus creating an economic and social burden.(20/Oct/2006)
In English WHO
en Français OMS
The Burden of Neglected Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean Compared with Some Other Communicable Diseases
This graph makes a case for increased attention to neglected diseases by illustrating their tremendous disease burden as compared to other communicable diseases that receive a higher level of attention from health systems.(10/Oct/2006)
In English (2.46k)
en español (2.69k)
Neglected Diseases: The Diseases of Poverty
Neglected Diseases strike populations already cripped by poverty and inequity:
women, children, indigenous populations, the poor. This bilingual poster, the text of which appears in both HTML and Word in fact-sheet format, outlines the health and economic impact of Neglected Diseases and the current response in terms of prevention and treatment and intersectoral solutions.(10/Oct/2006)
In English (8.55k)
(218.62k)
(2786.76k)
en español (9.96k)
(178.69k)
(2786.76k)
CD47.R18: Health of the Indigenous Peoples in the Americas
Taking note of the existence of inequities in health and access to health care services that affect more than 45 million indigenous people living in the Americas; and because the United Nations Millennium Declaration cannot be reached unless the specific health needs of excluded populations, such as indigenous peoples, are addressed, this resolution of the 47th PAHO Directing Council in 2006 sets for the mandate to take a multicultural approach to include these groups and work towards greater equity and better health for all.(29/Sep/2006)
In English CD47.R18
en español CD47.R18
en Français CD47.R18
em Português CD47.R18
Consensus Statement on Prevention of Disability (Consensus Development Conference on the Prevention of Disability [POD], Cebu City, Philippines, 13–16 September 2006)
The objectives of the conference were to discuss POD activities in the context of leprosy and other chronic diseases, such as Buruli ulcer, lymphatic filariasis and diabetes; to agree on basic definitions; to agree on a basic, evidence-based approach to POD that is part of routine case management; to agree on the elements of home-based self-care; to agree on methods of monitoring and reporting POD activities; and to agree on priorities for further clinical and operational research in POD. This page contains the executive summary and access to the 9-page statement in PDF, with specific bibliographical references.(16/Sep/2006)
In English (7.19k)
(161.79k)
(178.01k)
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control at PAHO: Aims, Strategies and Lines of Action
This page summarizes the mission, objectives, strategies and lines of action of the PAHO Communicable Disease Unit and describes what it hopes to accomplish through technical cooperation.(20/Jun/2006)
In English (5.57k)
en español (5.91k)
A Guide to Healthy Food Markets
With over half of the world’s population now living in urban areas, food markets have become important sources of affordable food for many millions of people. At the same time, however, such markets have been associated with major outbreaks of diseases, including cholera, SARS and avian influenza. This link goes to the full-text 42-page guide on the WHO website.(18/Apr/2006)
In English WHO
en español OMS
Parasitic and Neglected Diseases: The PAHO Regional Program
This page describes the activities of PAHO's Regional Program on Parasitic and Neglected Diseases: its mission, areas of work, challenges to be faced and strategies with which to face them. It also provides links to the index pages of the diseases in this group.(9/Feb/2006)
In English (8.95k)
en español (10.12k)
Worm Busters Facts and Statistics
It's a Fact. Worms are treatable. Worms are beatable. This fact sheet from the priority health campaign Worm Busters of the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) provides the basic data on worms as a public-health problem (especially among children and pregnant women) that can be prevented through intervention and treatment.(1/Nov/2005)
In English PAHEF/WormBusters
Worm Busters! You can help children who are needlessly suffering.
There summary contained in this campaign poster from the Worm Busters fund-raising campaign of the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) provides some essential facts on intestinal parasites as a public-health problem and how PAHO is approaching the problem.(1/Nov/2005)
In English PAHEF/WormBusters
PAHEF Supported Projects: Worm Busters Campaign
This campaign description describes the Worm Busters campaign to address intestinal parasites as a public-health problem and how PAHO is mobilizing resources for intervention and treatment. Parasitic worm control in the Americas is a top priority of the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF). Millions of children and adults are adversely affected by worm infestations, and the treatment is now inexpensive and accessible.(1/Nov/2005)
In English PAHEF/Worm Busters
WHO Global Partners for Parasite Control: Worm Busters Campaign
This short fact sheet describes the World Health Organization Partners for Parasite Control (WHO/PPC) within the context of its collaboration in the Worm Busters campaign of the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF). It lists partnerships with the United Nations, foundations, pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), countries, and academic and research institutions.(1/Nov/2005)
In English PAHEF-Wormbusters-WHOPCC
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Americas: 6th Regional Program Managers' Meeting, 5th Regional Program Review Group Meeting (San José, Costa Rica, 25–27 October 2005)
This page offers full conference proceedings (PDF report and all PowerPoint country, group and partner presentations) for the two back-to-back meetings on lymphatic filariasis elimination: the Program Managers Meeting (PPM) and the Regional Program Managers Meeting (RPMM). Here can be found the most up-to-date information available on the status of LF in the seven countries that participated in the meeting (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname).(27/Oct/2005)
In English (17.27k)
CD46.R16: PAHO Gender Equality Policy
Resolution adopted at the 46th PAHO Directing Council in September 2005, which lays down the PAHO mandate for gender equality in health and development in the Americas, in accordance with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).(30/Sep/2005)
In English (22.47k)
CD46.R16
en español (24.08k)
CD46.R16
en Français (24.21k)
CD46.R16
em Português (23.84k)
CD46.R16
The Millennium Development Goals: Deworming
The message of this two-page color flyer is The evidence is in: deworming helps meet the Millennium Development Goals! It places parasite control in the context of the MDGs and as such is a useful tool for policy-makers and health authorities.(28/Sep/2005)
In English WHO/PPC
Training Manual on Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasites
Based on the WHO Bench Aids for the Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasites, these three tools were originally developed to assist in the training of laboratory technicians and health workers to identify medically relevant helminth eggs and larvae, and protozoal trophozoites and cysts. They were a Training Manual, a Slide Set and The WHO Bench Aids. A CD has now been produced which contains both the Training Manual and the Slide Set in an electronic format so that the trainer can prepare an individually tailored training course. All are downloadable via the link below.(6/Sep/2005)
In English WHO/PPC
Monitoring and Epidemiological Assessment of the Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis at Implemention Unit Level
Since the WHO Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was launched in 2000, there has been a need for standardized guidelines on monitoring and epidemiological assessment at implementation unit (IU) level, because this is the level at which the core programmatic operations are conducted. These guidelines are based on current knowledge and understanding of the epidemiological aspects of the disease, as concise as possible but open to particular circumstances.(25/Jul/2005)
In English (2882.56k)
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Americas: 5th Regional Program Managers' Meeting, 4th Regional Program Review Group Meeting (Paramaribo, Suriname, 26–29 October 2004)
This page offers the complete conference proceedings for both meetings, combined in one volume, with PowerPoint presentations integrated therein. It outlines the progress made in eliminating lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), a dread disease of poverty causing permanent disability and thus constituting a major economic and social burden. Attending the meeting were those countries where the disease is still endemic or close to eradication, where major elimination efforts are underway.(30/Oct/2004)
In English (6.38k)
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CD45.R3: Millennium Development Goals and Health Targets
This resolution from the 45th PAHO Directing Council in 2004 issues a series of mandates to advise countries on what they need to do to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).(29/Sep/2004)
In English CD45.R3
en español CD45.R3
en Français CD45.R3
em Português CD45.R3
Reducing the Burden of Preventable Diseases Among the Poor: Onchocerciasis and Filariasis
This subsection in Charting a Future for Health in the Americas: Quadrennial Report of the Director, 2002 Edition, describes the Organization's efforts in support of the regional initiative to eliminate Onchoceriasis and Filariasis from the region.(17/Oct/2003)
In English (4.7k)
en español (5.86k)
CD44.R6: Primary Health Care in the Americas: Lessons Learned over 25 Years and Future Challenges
This resolution from the 44th PAHO Directing Council in 2003, taking into consideration the Declaration of Alma-Ata and past PAHO resolutions, sets forth the mandate of improving the quality of primary care in the Americas: more equitable access to health services, improved surveillance and information systems in this context, improved training for healthcare workers, a health promotion approach, better policy implementation, local community-based approaches and models, working towards the Millennium Development Goals, etc.(25/Sep/2003)
In English CD44.R6
en español CD44.R6
en Français CD44.R6
em Português CD44.R6
Framework for a Regional Program for Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Schistosomiasis in the Americas (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 2–6 June 2003) (DRAFT)
An estimated 30% of the Latin American population suffers from soil-transmitted helminth infection. Ensuring the effective control of soil-transmitted helminth infections and schistosomiasis in the Americas is a challenge that cannot be put off--hence, this gathering of professionals committed to pooling their efforts and eradicating these parasitic diseases that afflict the most vulnerable populations. This page contains the situation analysis for Latin America and access to the 25-page full text.(6/Jun/2003)
In English (11.71k)
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en español (12.48k)
(516.31k)
en Français (12.71k)
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em Português
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Manual for Indoor Residual Spraying: Application of Residual Sprays for Vector Control
This WHO guide is meant to instruct pest-control workers on how to safely and effectively administer residual insecticides. It was published in 2002 by WHO Communicable Disease Control, Prevention and Eradication as part of the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme, to provide uniform international standards for administration of pesticides to eliminate insects/vectors that transmit disease in an indoor setting. This summary links to the full-text WHO report.(31/Dec/2002)
In English (4.4k)
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Americas: Regional Program Managers' Meeting (Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, 4-6 September, 2002)
Filariasis elimination began in China in 1950s as an agricultural/economic issue. The success of its program relied on a sustained government commitment, and collective efforts allowed China to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public-health problem. The Americas Region could very well be the first to reach the elimination goal, with recent breakthroughs clearly indicating this as feasible. This page offers a summary of the meeting and access to the full-text conference report in bookmarked PDF.
(6/Sep/2002)
In English (7.28k)
en español (8.2k)
en Français (8.38k)
em Português (8.08k)
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Americas: 2nd Regional Program Managers' Meeting (Georgetown, Guyana, 20-22 August 2001)
This second meeting focused on country progress in the elimination of LF (elephantiasis); the report contains country reports from the seven endemic countries participating (Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago) and plans of action for the coming year. This page contains the 39-page full-text report.(22/Aug/2001)
In English (1098.95k)
WHA54.19: Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections
In May 2001, the World Health Assembly passed this resolution to deal with schistosomiasis (snail fever) and geohelminth infections as a public health problem. It constitutes the PAHO mandate for the Americas.(22/May/2001)
In English WHA54.19
en español WHA54.19
en Français WHA54.19
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Americas: Report, First Regional Program Managers Meeting (Dominican Republic, 9-11 August 2000)
The Pan American Health Organization /World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in its commitment to promote and support the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the Americas, hosted and co-sponsored this meeting together with the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other key partners. Key issues focused on the implementation of a Regional Program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in the Americas. This page offers access to the full-text report, including country data.(8/Aug/2000)
In English (5.65k)
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en español (6.42k)
Drains & You: A Manual for Drainage Maintenance Workers
This manual is useful not only for drainage workers engaged in cleaning and repairing secondary drains, working for ministries and local governments, but also for the general public in making them aware of the role drains play in public health and safety. In the latter sense, it serves as a social-communication tool to raise community awareness of the general public of domestic-sanitation issues and their effect on public health. This page offers the entire manual for field use, with chapters downloadable in PDF.(30/Mar/2000)
In English (4.17k)
WHA50.29: Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis as a Public Health Problem
At the 50th World Health Assembly in May 1997, the WHO Executive Board set forth the global mandate for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) as a public health problem, which PAHO adopted for the Americas.(13/May/1997)
In English (3174.38k)
WHO
en español (3602.7k)
en Français (3580.7k)
CD35.14: Eradication/Elimination of Certain Diseases from the Region
This resolution from the PAHO Directing Council sets forth the mandate for the eradication and elimination on onchocerciais (river blindness), Chagas Disease (American trypanosomiasis) through blood transfusion, and leprosy (Hansen's disease) from the Americas.(30/Sep/1991)
In English CD35.R14
en español CD35.R14
