Noma is strongly associated with poverty and occurs exclusively in remote, illiterate and undernourished communities. The lesions spread very quickly and people with the disease often consult very late when they are “lucky” to be able to find a doctor.

The prevention of noma passes first and foremost by fight against extreme poverty and by thedisease information. In areas where noma is rife, people are often unaware of this scourge.

A study conducted by paediatricians in Burkina Faso in 2001 reveals that “91,5% of affected families knew nothing about the disease”³. As a result, patients and their families are often slow to seek help.

Here are some avenues proposed by the WHO to prevent this disease² :

• Information campaigns for the population
• Training of local health personnel
• Improving living conditions and access to drinking water
• The separation of the living areas of livestock and populations
• Improving oral hygiene and widespread screening for oral lesions
• Access to adequate nutrition and the promotion of breastfeeding during the first months of life as it confers protection against noma, among other diseases, including preventing malnutrition and transmitting antibodies to the baby.
• Vaccination of populations, particularly against measles.