Approximately 2 billion people infected worldwide
Many are WHO-designated Neglected Tropical Diseases
At-risk populations include impoverished, children, immigrants, tourists, HIV/AIDS patients, refugees 
Most common in subtropical and tropical areas, moist climates, poor sanitation and hygiene 
No direct person-to-person transmission
Fecal-oral transmission (ingestion of eggs in contaminated soil / vegetables / water)
Ascaris and whipworm from human feces
Toxocara from dog / cat feces
Echinococcus from sheep / cattle feces
Taenia eggs from human feces
Ascaris and whipworm from human feces
Toxocara from dog / cat feces
Echinococcus from sheep / cattle feces
Taenia eggs from human feces
Cutaneous transmission
Hookworm eggs hatch in the soil, mature larvae penetrate skin
Lymphatic filariasis transmitted via bite from infected mosquito (Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex)
Onchocerciasis transmitted via bite from blackflies (Simulium species)
Hookworm eggs hatch in the soil, mature larvae penetrate skin
Lymphatic filariasis transmitted via bite from infected mosquito (Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex)
Onchocerciasis transmitted via bite from blackflies (Simulium species)
Food or waterborne transmission
Taenia also transmitted by ingestion of larval cysts in undercooked pork or beef
Diphyllobothrium tapeworm transmitted by contaminated freshwater fish
Dracunculiasis transmitted by ingestion of infected Cyclops water fleas in contaminated water (adult worm erodes through skin of leg, releases larvae in water when host wades in pond / open well, infecting the water fleas)
Taenia also transmitted by ingestion of larval cysts in undercooked pork or beef
Diphyllobothrium tapeworm transmitted by contaminated freshwater fish
Dracunculiasis transmitted by ingestion of infected Cyclops water fleas in contaminated water (adult worm erodes through skin of leg, releases larvae in water when host wades in pond / open well, infecting the water fleas)
Helminth infections
Mosquito-borne infections
Hymenoptera stings
Fungal infections
Tick borne illnesses
Skin and soft tissue infections
Parasitic diseases
Mammalian bites