Decades of neglect have allowed infectious diseases to devastate lives in the developing world, a study reveals.

Researchers say three diseases in particular – anthrax, brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis – have failed to receive the official recognition and funding needed to combat them effectively.

All three impact greatly on human and animal health in developing nations, posing a major threat to safe and plentiful food supplies.

The disorders – known as zoonotic diseases – are spread between animals and humans. They are common in societies where poverty is widespread, and where people rely on animals for their livelihoods.

“It is extraordinary that in the 21st century we are failing to manage brucellosis and the other neglected zoonotic diseases that impact so severely on rural communities in developing economies when, for many of these diseases, the tools to manage them are well developed,” says Professor Sue Welburn, Director of the University of Edinburgh's Global Health Academy.

For the recent report, researchers reviewed every meeting of the World Health Organization's decision-making body since its formation in 1948.

They found that the diseases have been neglected because they mostly arise in developing countries, despite most being eliminated or brought under control in more developed countries through simple and effective controls.

The team found that poor healthcare infrastructure in affected countries can often mean that thousands of sufferers go un-diagnosed.

This presents huge challenges to health professionals, policy makers and researchers in their efforts to combat the diseases.

Scientists say the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach centring on specific goals, involving experts from a range of disciplines, could improve human and animal health and help to control the diseases.

Findings from the study, funded by the European Commission, are published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.