Schistosomiasis hotspots: why understanding morbidity hotspots is needed to achieve new WHO NTD road map targets
Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, published by the World Health Organization in January 2021 targets schistosomiasis for elimination as a public health problem (EPHP) by 2030.
The road map defines EPHP as less than 1% heavy intensity infections. However, as schistosomiasis control accelerates and new detection tools are developed, evidence of specific persistent morbidity hotspots has emerged, which do not necessarily indicate intensity-alone hotspots.
The research afternoon will include four short presentations on this topic, followed by a live Q&A where audience members will be able to share and discuss their experiences with the panellists.
The event will be moderated by Professor Joanne Webster, Chair of Parasitic Diseases, Director Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Royal Veterinary College and Associate Director LCNTDR.
Presentations will include:
Morbidity hotspots: the differential impact of hybridised, mixed or single Schistosoma species infections on morbidity
Speaker: Dr Sebastien Lambert, Postdoctoral Researcher, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Severe persistent intestinal morbidity hotspots in the Lake Albertine region of Uganda
Speaker: Professor Birgitte Vennervald, Professor Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, University of Copenhagen
Female and male genital schistosomiasis
Speaker: Dr Amaya Bustinduy, Associate Professor, Tropical Paediatrics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Schistosomiasis in pregnant women
Speaker: Professor Alison Elliot, Professor Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine