Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases

We are thrilled to celebrate a massive public health milestone ahead of #WorldRabiesDay: Chile has been officially validated for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies! This incredible achievement comes just months after Chile became the first country in the region to eliminate leprosy. This "double-whammy" is powerful proof that public health targets - including the World Health Organization #NTDs 2030 Roadmap goals - are entirely within our reach when we commit to sustained action. This victory is the result of over 50 years of relentless dedication by communities and health workers who worked across borders to vaccinate, surveil, and treat. It also cements the Americas as a global leader in disease elimination. Huge congratulations to Chile! 🎉 Read more about this epic win on the WHO website: https://bit.ly/4j5ZeAz #BeatNTDs #WRD2026 #StrongerTogetherWRD #CommunitiesAgainstRabies #OneHealth

While #WorldRabiesDay focuses on #rabies elimination, it is important to support the World Health Organization NTD Roadmap as well. By working together, we can strengthen health systems and prevent zoonotic disease from emerging. It is time to be Stronger Together in 2026. Click here to read more – www.worldntdday.org.

ICYMI: We recently joined partners at the World Health Organization African Region #RC76AFRO session in Addis Ababa to champion a self-reliant future for Africa's health! We are thrilled to support the newly endorsed call to action integrating multi-disease elimination into primary healthcare and domestic financing. Catch up on the key outcomes and our engagement here: https://bit.ly/4xdSnJ6 #BeatNTDs

Just 17 days to go until #WorldRabiesDay 2026! Join our global community on 28 September because this year we are Stronger Together. Only by working together, can we build sustainable community-led solutions. How will you make a difference in your community in 2026? #WorldRabiesDay2026 #WRD2026 #StrongerTogetherWRD

With Timor-Leste and Bhutan’s historic victories over #Trachoma and dog-transmitted #Rabies respectively, the global community has reached a phenomenal milestone: 65 countries have now been validated by the World Health Organization for eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease (#NTDs)! These milestones represent years of tireless work by national ministries, front-line health workers, and local communities. Validation requires an independent, rigorous assessment against strict technical criteria. It is proof of what can be achieved through unwavering public health commitment, cross-sector cooperation, and a dedicated #OneHealth approach. But these victories must be protected. As we push toward the 2030 NTD Roadmap targets, we cannot afford to lose momentum. Advocacy is our sharpest tool. Share this breakthrough with your network to keep global health funding and policy at the forefront of international development. Let's maintain the political will needed to cross the finish line. #BeatNTDs

In this edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases Newsdesk, Tim Jesudason provides an overview of the recently adopted United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 62/21 on human rights and neglected tropical diseases (#HumanRights, #NTDs), featuring insights from UTC's Stuart Halford, World Health Organization and the United Nations Human Rights.

Big news in the lead-up to World Rabies Day #WRD2026! 🌍 Bhutan has officially become the first country in the World Health Organization South-East Asia region to be validated by World Health Organization for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem. Rabies is a neglected tropical disease (#NTDs) that is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Bhutan's historic milestone provides a powerful roadmap as the global health community works toward the 2030 NTD Roadmap goals. This monumental achievement is the result of over a decade of sustained investment in a #OneHealth approach. By breaking down silos and uniting health workers, veterinarians, and local communities, Bhutan has proven that collaborative surveillance and strategic resource allocation can eliminate one of the world's deadliest diseases. Join us in celebrating this historic public health win!👉 Read the full announcement on the WHO website: https://bit.ly/4qXDGYV #BeatNTDs

🌍 Another milestone in the global fight against trachoma! World Health Organization has validated #TimorLeste elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 33rd country worldwide to achieve this milestone. It is also a landmark achievement for the South-East Asia Region: Timor-Leste was the last country in the Region where trachoma was suspected to be endemic. With this validation, trachoma is no longer a public health problem anywhere in the Region. The achievement reflects years of national commitment, rigorous surveillance, strong health systems and collaboration with communities and partners. In 2025, nearly 5,000 samples from children aged 1–5 years across all 13 municipalities were analysed, with no evidence of transmission requiring trachoma-specific public health intervention. For countries working towards NTD elimination, Timor-Leste’s achievement is a powerful reminder that sustained action, quality evidence and strong surveillance can turn elimination goals into lasting public health gains. As we work towards the global goal of eliminating trachoma by 2030, every country reaching this milestone brings us one step closer to a world free from preventable blindness. 👏 Congratulations to the Ministry of Health, health workers, communities, and WHO Timor-Leste! #Trachoma #NTDs #EndNTDs

Progress against neglected tropical diseases (#NTDs) is accelerating worldwide. The World Health Organization validation of Timor-Leste for eliminating #trachoma as a public health problem marks a major moment on two fronts: 1️⃣ Global Momentum: Timor-Leste becomes part of a growing global movement, bringing the total to 64 countries that have now eliminated at least one NTD. 2️⃣ Regional Elimination: As the last country with suspected endemic trachoma in the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region, Timor-Leste’s achievement officially clears trachoma as a public health problem across the entire region. Trachoma remains the leading infectious cause of blindness globally. Eliminating it required a rigorous, multi-year strategy combining field investigations, comprehensive population surveys, and integrated health services. This outcome is a powerful testament to the impact of sustained domestic leadership, high-quality surveillance, and international collaboration. Congratulations to the Ministry of Health of the Government of Timor-Leste, local health personnel, and global partners driving us closer to the WHO 2030 NTD roadmap targets. More info: https://bit.ly/3Tfrqqh #BeatNTDs