The diseased feet of a patient with leprosy .
72 percent of the population with the target of eliminating lymphatic filariasis by 2021 . Columbia , Ecuador , �uatemala , and Mexico reported eradicating onchocerciasis ( infection caused by a worm and potentially leading to visual impairment and skin disease ), while 11 �atin American countries were able to contain schistosomiasis infection . Increasing international partnerships have improved Chagas disease ( a parasitic infection that can be life-threatening if untreated ) prevention , control , and treatment through vector control , universal blood screening , and access to antiparasitic drugs . WHO and the Pan American Health Organi�ation ( PAHO ) are supporting Bra�il and Colombia in carrying out integrated actions to control tungiasis , an inflammatory skin disease caused by female sand fleas . Interventions planned by PAHO include distributing dimethicone oil-based skin ointments and producing a manual for tungiasis control and treatment guidelines .
Asia WHO has established regional technical advisory groups , launched several action plans , and implemented regional frameworks to expedite the elimination of NT�s . These initiatives adopt a number of WHO-endorsed recommendations for certain NT�s . For example , vector control measures and an integrated field entomology workshop were proposed to empower local governments to reduce dengue and mosquito-borne diseases . In addition , a regional strategy framework with enhanced cross-border collaboration has also been launched to expedite the eradication of visceral leishmaniasis . This initiative is encouraged by the latest reports indicating a historical decline in visceral leishmaniasis from 23,056 cases in 2012 to 1 , �56 in 2021 , a �� percent drop in incidence . While several countries display low occurrences of yaws , India has maintained its �ero status for the disease since 2016 . Malaysia and the Philippines have expanded I�A treatment among vulnerable populations to reduce lymphatic filariasis prevalence .
According to WHO , India and Indonesia account for more than half of all leprosy cases worldwide , with �5,6�7 new cases reported in 2020 , rising to �3 , ��5 cases in 2021 . To sustain the health system ’ s capacity for leprosy elimination , the WHO Regional Office established an e-learning module to build healthcare worker capacity on case identification , diagnosis , and treatment .
Eastern Mediterranean The regional WHO office stated that the number of people seeking NT� intervention decreased by 55 percent between 2010 and 2021 . The percentage of NT� illnesses causing loss of health years was reduced by 3 . � percent in 201� compared to 2015 . Furthermore , seven countries have eradicated at least one NT� , the most recent being Saudi Arabia which
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