The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes recommendations for large-scale deworming to improve children’s health and nutrition.
WHO has long promoted large-scale treatment for intestinal worms, but this is the first evidence-based guideline confirming that deworming decreases and prevents the intensity (severity) of infection and improves the health and nutrient uptake of children.
“WHO aims to eliminate the harm caused by worm infections in children by 2020 by regularly treating at least 75% of the estimated 873 million children in areas where prevalence is high,” says Dr Antonio Montresor, who heads WHO’s global deworming programme. “In 2016, WHO Member States treated 63% of children requiring treatment. Now that the world has agreed standards for deworming at-risk populations, we are in a better position to reach this target.”
“There is now global consensus that periodic, large-scale deworming is the best way to reduce the suffering caused by intestinal worms,” says Dr Dirk Engels, Director of WHO’s Neglected Tropical Diseases department. “These new guidelines have been issued at a time when countries where intestinal worms are endemic are accelerating their control programmes with the help of partners to both to treat people who are infected and those at risk of infection.”
“Improving basic hygiene, sanitation, health education and providing access to safe drinking-water are also keys to resolving the health and nutritional problems caused by intestinal worms,” says Dr Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development.