Q. NOMA has recently been included in the World Health Organization's list of neglected tropical diseases. Which body parts does this affect?
Answer:
Face and Mouth
Notes: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently added noma, a severe gangrenous disease affecting the mouth and face, to its list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Also known as cancrum oris, noma has a staggering mortality rate of approximately 90% and is closely associated with extreme poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate access to sanitation and oral hygiene.
Primarily impacting children aged 2-6 in impoverished communities. Symptoms include gum inflammation believed to be caused by oral bacteria. Noma often initiates as an ulcer on the mucous membrane, frequently following measles or other illnesses. Survivors may experience facial disfigurement, jaw muscle spasms, oral incontinence, and speech difficulties. Historically known as the 'face of poverty,' noma was prevalent in the Western world but diminished with economic progress. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) constitute a diverse group of infections prevalent in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These diseases are caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths).