National Deworming Day(NDD)

News:The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is conducting the tenth round of National Deworming Day(NDD).

Facts:

About National Deworming Day(NDD): 

• The National Deworming Day(NDD) is observed bi-annually since 2015 on 10th February and 10th August in all states and UTs followed by mop-up activities.
• Objective:To reduce the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths(STH) commonly called the parasitic intestinal worms among all children and adolescents.
• The day was started in 2015 by the Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare.
• It is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
• During the day, the children and adolescents aged 1-19 years are administered Albendazole across government, government-aided schools, anganwadis and other educational institutions.

Additional information:

About Soil-transmitted helminth(STH):

• Soil-transmitted helminth(STH) infections are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. 
• They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor.
• The main species that infect people are the roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and the hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale).