Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, is now officially recognised as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), according to an announcement made by the World Health Organization (WHO).Noma is a rapid-onset gangrenous disease estimated to affect around 140,000 people every year. It disproportionately affects children from the poorest communities and around 90% of cases prove to be fatal, usually within a few weeks of onset.