Dr Simon O'Hanlon

Dr O'Hanlon is currently part of the Neglected Tropical Disease Modelling Consortium (NTD MC) on a project to link geo-spatial mapping and transmission modelling to assess the impact of different intervention strategies against NTDs including onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis and sleeping sickness (Gambian human African trypanosomiasis) in Africa.

I am specifically using the onchocerciasis disease transmission model EPIONCHO to provide estimates of future trends in infection under different control scenarios. The main objectives of the project are:

• to inform local authorities and national control programs about the efficiency of implementing suggested intervention schemes.
• to identify areas that may require additional treatment to achieve the 2020 goals set by the WHO to eliminate these NTDs as a public health problem.