15 December 2021 – 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.

Diagnostic Testing and Treatment

  • Multimodal biomarker discovery for active Onchocerca volvulus infection – Link

Vector Control

  • Scientists eye gene drive technology to combat malaria – Link
  • How Israelis help the world fight mosquito-borne diseases – Link

Drug and Vaccine Development

  • WHO welcomes historic decision by Gavi to fund the first malaria vaccine – Link

Immunisation

  • Over 700 children complete malaria vaccination in Cape Coast – Link

Surveillance

  • To sustain malaria-free status: DOH-6 beefs up surveillance – Link

Elimination Progress

  • Elimination of transmission of onchocerciasis, or river blindness in Niger – Link

Outbreak

  • Costa Rica reports malaria outbreak in the North, 138 confirmed cases in past month – Link
  • Yemen’s Polio Outbreak May Spread – Link

Other

  • The Global Institute for Disease Elimination awards USD1 million to ground-breaking health projects in endemic countries – Link
  • Unconventional T cells promote immunity to malaria – Link Link to paper
  • Improving timeliness in the neglected tropical diseases preventive chemotherapy donation supply chain through information sharing: A retrospective empirical analysis – Link
  • More malaria cases and deaths in 2020 linked to COVID-19 disruptions – Link
  • World malaria report 2021 – Link

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