WHO reports on tropical diseases

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its first report on what it says are 17 neglected tropical diseases including dengue fever, rabies and leprosy that affect mainly poor people.



According to the UN health body, dengue fever, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito is already endemic in the Caribbean and is rapidly spreading worldwide.



Meanwhile, WHO director-general Margaret Chan says some progress has been made in tackling some diseases, like the guinea worm disease.



The WHO says it can substantially reduce the prevalence of the diseases with the help of drug donations from the pharmaceutical industry.