14 May 2023 – Below we feature a compilation of headlines, scientific articles, and technical reports on innovations, R&D and elimination progress towards polio, malaria, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis. We will be publishing these updates bi-weekly and hope they are useful.

Vector Control

  • Evaluation of Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for malaria control in an endemic area in Brazil – Link
  • Differential impact of dual-active ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets on primary malaria vectors: a secondary analysis of a 3-year, single-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial in rural Tanzania – Link
  • What can be learned from the residual efficacy of three formulations of insecticides (pirimiphos-methyl, clothianidin and deltamethrin mixture, and clothianidin alone) in large-scale in community trial in North Benin, West Africa? – Link

Diagnostic testing and treatment

  • Leaves of the Labrador tea plant contain an essential oil that could help combat malaria – Link | Link to Paper

Data

  • No reinventing the wheel when digitizing health programs: How Uganda and Ethiopia are learning from each other to strengthen malaria responses – Link

Drug resistance

  • Second gene implicated in malaria parasite resistance evolution to chloroquine – Link | Link to Paper

Immunisation

  • Immunogenicity of novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 administered concomitantly with bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine: an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled trial – Link

Surveillance:

  • Strengthening the NTD surveillance system: WHO support for yaws case investigation in Gunung Kidul and Fakfak districts – Link

Elimination progress

  • Bangladesh eliminates lymphatic filariasis – Link
  • Science of malaria elimination: Ending malaria in the Asia Pacific region – Link

Climate and Health

  • NTD programmes hold the key to universal health coverage and better climate and emergency responses – Link
  • Felled By A Warming World: Will Malaria Be The Next Pandemic? – Link

 Other

  • 40 countries recently detected poliovirus – Link
  • Afghanistan reports first polio case this year – Link
  • Report of the sixth meeting of the WHO Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Subgroup: virtual meeting, 19-21 December 2022 – Link 
  • Statement of the thirty-fifth Polio IHR Emergency Committee – Link
  • Milestone achieved: 10,000 women certified to fight malaria in Rwanda – Link
  • Spike in malaria cases – Link
  • Women health workers hold the key to eradicating polio – Link
  • Disease perception, impacts and coping strategies for onchocerciasis in Southeast Nigeria: a qualitative study among patients and program managers – Link
  • Polio endgame complexity: updating expectations for nOPV2 – Link
  • Progress on malaria control in countries – WHO in an era of transformation – Link
  • WASH and health working together: a ‘how-to’ guide for neglected tropical disease programmes, second edition – Link

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