16 August 2021 – Roundup of articles and publications on the latest innovations in malaria, polio, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis

16 August 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.

Vector control

• Malaria-transmitting mosquitoes wiped out in successful cutting-edge gene drive trial – Link to article | Link to paper
• Microbe transmitted between mosquitoes could be key to controlling malaria – Link to article | Link to paper

Diagnostic testing and treatment

• Paper folding ‘origami’ and app-based Malaria test developed by Glasgow researchers – Link to article | Link to paper
• Combined thin film and rapid diagnostic test an effective malaria screen – Link to article | Link to paper
• University of Glasgow Researchers Propose A Smartphone-Based DNA Diagnostics For Malaria Detection Using deep Learning – Link to article | Link to article

Data

• Predicting the environmental suitability for onchocerciasis in Africa as an aid to elimination planning – Link
• A mathematical model for malaria transmission relating global warming and local socioeconomic conditions – Link

Drug and vaccine development

• Paper folding ‘origami’ and app-based Malaria test developed by Glasgow researchers – Link to article | Link to paper
• Combined thin film and rapid diagnostic test an effective malaria screen – Link to article | Link to paper
• University of Glasgow Researchers Propose A Smartphone-Based DNA Diagnostics For Malaria Detection Using deep Learning – Link to article | Link to article

Drug resistance

• Association of Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 R561H genotypes with delayed parasite clearance in Rwanda: an open-label, single-arm, multicentre, therapeutic efficacy study – Link
• Emerging ivermectin resistance, a global issue – Link

Immunisation

• NEWSAbia: Ikpeazu flags 2nd round of outbreak response for polio vaccination campaign – Link
• Polio vaccination drive begins in South, East districts – Link
• 11,000 children to be vaccinated against polio virus – Link

Surveillance

• Philippines: South Cotabato reports 33 lymphatic filariasis cases from two barangays – Link
• Fighting the spread of drug-resistant malaria with genetic surveillance – Link to article | Link to paper

Elimination progress

• Nigeria still battling 14 of 20 tropical diseases listed by WHO – Link
• Uganda championing elimination of River Blindness in Africa – Link
• KSrelief, WHO join hands to help Yemen’s govt combat malaria – Link
• Lymphatic filariasis elimination in the Dominican Republic: History, progress, and remaining steps – Link
• Malawi village gets award for fighting malaria infection and deaths – Link

Other

• Column: Success of polio vaccine rollout shows we learn nothing from history – Link
• The burden of skin disease and eye disease due to onchocerciasis in countries formerly under the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control mandate for 1990, 2020, and 2030 – Link
• Invasive ‘famine weed’ could escalate the spread of malaria – Link to article | Link to paper
• Deadliest malaria species: from treatments to full eradication – Link

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