there is no international surveillance mechanism currently in place to determine prevalence and global distribution. Some prevalence rates have been measured through survey data in endemic regions around the world. The following are some of the most recent findings on prevalence rates in regions endemic with hookworm. Darjeeling, Hooghly District, West Bengal, India (Pal et al. 2007) 43% infection rate of predominantly N. americanus although with some A. duodenale infection Both hookworm infection load and degree of anemia in the mild range Xiulongkan Village, Hainan Province, China (Gandhi et al. 2001) 60% infection rate of predominantly N. americanus Important trends noted were that prevalence increased with age (plateau of about 41 years) and women had higher prevalence rates than men Hòa Bình, Northwest Vietnam (Verle et al. 2003) 52% of a total of 526 tested households infected Could not identify species, but previous studies in North Vietnam reported N. americanus in more than 95% of hookworm larvae Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fleming et al. 2006) 63% infection rate of predominantly N. americanus KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Mabaso et al. 2004) Inland areas had a prevalence rate of 9% of N. americanus Coastal plain areas had a prevalence rate of 63% of N. americanus Lowndes County, Alabama, United States 35% infection rate of predominantly N. americanus There have also been technological developments that may facilitate more accurate mapping of hookworm prevalence. Some researchers have begun to use geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to examine helminth ecology and epidemiology. Brooker et al. utilized this technology to create helminth distribution maps of sub-Saharan Africa. By relating satellite derived environmental data with prevalence data from school-based surveys, they were able to create detailed prevalence maps. The study focused on a wide range of helminths, but interesting conclusions about hookworm specifically were found. As compared to other helminths, hookworm is able to survive in much hotter conditions and was highly prevalent throughout the upper end of the thermal range. Improved molecular diagnostic tools are another technological advancement that could help improve existing prevalence statistics. Recent research has focused on the development of a DNA-based tool that can be used for diagnosis of infection, specific identification of hookworm, and analysis of genetic variability in hookworm populations. Again this can serve as a major tool for different public health measures against hookworm infection. Most research regarding diagnostic tools is now focused on the creation of a