The authors have discussed 16 neglected tropical diseases: American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), Buruli ulcer, cysticercosis, dengue, dracunculiasis (Guinea worm), echinococcosis (hydatid cyst disease), foodborne trematode infections, geohelminth infections, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, rabies (prophylaxis after exposure), schistosomiasis, and trachoma. However, there was no mention of Japanese encephalitis, which is a major Public Health Problem in Asia including India.

According to Debapriya Ghosh, Anirban Basu in their review published in the September 2009 Issue of PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases:

Despite the catastrophes it causes, JE has remained a tropical disease uncommon in the West. With rapid globalization and climatic shift, JEV has started to emerge in areas where the threat was previously unknown (e.g Australia and Pakistan). Scientific evidence predicts that JEV will soon become a global pathogen and cause of worldwide pandemics. Although some research documents JEV pathogenesis and drug discovery, worldwide awareness of the need for extensive research to deal with JE is still lacking.

Competing interests: None declared