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WHO: 63 Countries Have Eliminated At Least One Neglected Tropical Disease By 2026; Why Dengue Remains A Concern

WHO: 63 Countries Have Eliminated At Least One NTD By 2026; Why Dengue Remains A Concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported significant global progress against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with fewer people requiring treatment. However, the rising burden of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">dengue</a> remains a major concern.

The Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026 found that 63 countries had eliminated at least one NTD by June 2026, up from 42 at the end of 2020.

“Elimination of neglected tropical diseases is one of the standout success stories of global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

However, he warned that these gains could be lost without increased domestic financing, sustained external support and the integration of NTD services into primary healthcare. 

The number of people requiring interventions for NTDs fell to 1.41 billion in 2024, a 36% decline since 2010 and a 19% decline since 2020. 

Cases of sleeping sickness have dropped by 98% since 1999, while Guinea worm disease recorded just 10 human cases in 2025, its lowest number yet. 

Between 2021 and 2025, 31 countries eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 16 received WHO recognition for the first time. Between January and June 2026, five more countries received recognition: Algeria, Australia, Libya and Tunisia for trachoma, and Chile for leprosy. 

By June 2026, 42 countries had eliminated one disease each, 16 had eliminated two, four had eliminated three and one country, Togo, had eliminated four. 

India has eliminated three NTDs: Guinea worm disease in 2000, yaws in 2016 and trachoma in 2024. 

Despite progress against several NTDs, the report highlights uneven progress, with these diseases continuing to disproportionately affect the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities. 

Dengue remains a major concern. Cases of the mosquito-borne disease reached a record 15.1 million in 2024, up from 2.74 million in 2020. 

Locally acquired cases were reported across all six WHO regions. The organisation also classified dengue as a Grade 3 emergency, its highest emergency level, in 2024. 

The Region of the Americas accounted for most reported cases, with Brazil contributing the largest share of the regional burden. 

WHO said climate and environmental change, rapid and often unplanned urbanisation, population movement and the geographical expansion of Aedes mosquitoes are contributing to the spread of dengue. 

WHO also warned that the geographical expansion of dengue into previously unaffected populations increases the risk of severe disease from secondary infections, making health system preparedness and the management of severe cases increasingly important. 

In 2024, 12,554 deaths were reported across dengue, visceral leishmaniasis and chikungunya, against the 2030 target of 1,291 or fewer annual deaths. 

Dengue accounted for 11,827 of these deaths, followed by visceral leishmaniasis (482) and chikungunya (245). Compared with the 2016 baseline of 5,163 deaths, reported deaths from these three diseases increased by 143.2%. 

<h2>Other NTD Targets Remain Off Track </h2>

The report also identified several challenges to achieving the 2030 targets. Deaths from vector-borne NTDs have increased, while progress towards yaws eradication remains off track. Only three disease-specific indicators achieved their 2025 milestones. 

<ul><li>Reduce by 90% the number of people requiring NTD interventions</li></ul><ul><li>Reduce NTD-related disability and premature deaths by 75%. </li></ul><ul><li>Enable 100 countries to eliminate at least one NTD</li></ul><ul><li>Eradicate Guinea worm disease and yaws</li></ul>

With five years remaining to meet these targets, WHO called for accelerated action, increased domestic financing and the integration of NTD interventions into universal health coverage to protect progress and address persistent gaps. 

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported significant global progress against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with fewer people requiring treatment. However, the rising burden of dengue remains a major concern. The Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026 found that 63 countries had eliminated at least one NTD by June 2026, up from 42 at the end of 2020. “Elimination of neglected tropical diseases is one of the standout success stories of global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. However, he warned that these gains could be lost without increased domestic financing, sustained external support and the integration of NTD services into primary healthcare. Global Progress Against NTDs The number of people requiring interventions for NTDs fell to 1.41 billion in 2024, a 36% decline since 2010 and a 19% decline since 2020. Cases of sleeping sickness have dropped by 98% since 1999, while Guinea worm disease recorded just 10 human cases in 2025, its lowest number yet. Between 2021 and 2025, 31 countries eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 16 received WHO recognition for the first time. Between January and June 2026, five more countries received recognition: Algeria, Australia, Libya and Tunisia for trachoma, and Chile for leprosy. By June 2026, 42 countries had eliminated one disease each, 16 had eliminated two, four had eliminated three and one country, Togo, had eliminated four. India has eliminated three NTDs: Guinea worm disease in 2000, yaws in 2016 and trachoma in 2024. Why Dengue Remains A Concern Despite progress against several NTDs, the report highlights uneven progress, with these diseases continuing to disproportionately affect the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities. Dengue remains a major concern. Cases of the mosquito-borne disease reached a record 15.1 million in 2024, up from 2.74 million in 2020. Locally acquired cases were reported across all six WHO regions. The organisation also classified dengue as a Grade 3 emergency, its highest emergency level, in 2024. The Region of the Americas accounted for most reported cases, with Brazil contributing the largest share of the regional burden. WHO said climate and environmental change, rapid and often unplanned urbanisation, population movement and the geographical expansion of Aedes mosquitoes are contributing to the spread of dengue. WHO also warned that the geographical expansion of dengue into previously unaffected populations increases the risk of severe disease from secondary infections, making health system preparedness and the management of severe cases increasingly important. In 2024, 12,554 deaths were reported across dengue, visceral leishmaniasis and chikungunya, against the 2030 target of 1,291 or fewer annual deaths. Dengue accounted for 11,827 of these deaths, followed by visceral leishmaniasis (482) and chikungunya (245). Compared with the 2016 baseline of 5,163 deaths, reported deaths from these three diseases increased by 143.2%.  Other NTD Targets Remain Off Track The report also identified several challenges to achieving the 2030 targets. Deaths from vector-borne NTDs have increased, while progress towards yaws eradication remains off track. Only three disease-specific indicators achieved their 2025 milestones. The WHO's 2021–2030 road map aims to: Reduce by 90% the number of people requiring NTD interventionsReduce NTD-related disability and premature deaths by 75%. Enable 100 countries to eliminate at least one NTDEradicate Guinea worm disease and yawsWith five years remaining to meet these targets, WHO called for accelerated action, increased domestic financing and the integration of NTD interventions into universal health coverage to protect progress and address persistent gaps. 

who: 63 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease by 2026; why dengue remains a concern

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