India, Jan. 27 -- Nigeria began concerted efforts to combat human and animal trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness and nagana) in 1947

Neglected tropical diseases are a group of communicable diseases found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are classified as "neglected" because they have received little or no attention in terms of prevention and control for several decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) guides the way they are identified and managed.

These 20 conditions mostly affect impoverished communities, women and children. Most people affected by them live in rural areas where houses are overcrowded, and basic infrastructure such as water and toilet facilities are lacking. More than one billion people are es...