31 March 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

  • Innovation in Resistance Management: VECTRON™ T500, a new vector control product, is prequalified by The World Health Organization (WHO) – Link
  • Next-generation bed nets get major endorsement from World Health Organization – Link

Diagnostic testing and treatment

  • Diagnostic performance of NxTek™ Eliminate Malaria-Pf test for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in school children with asymptomatic malaria – Link 

Data

  • Poverty and infectious disease come together far too often — the solution could be data-driven – Link 

Drug resistance

  • Trends of insecticide resistance monitoring in mainland Tanzania, 2004–2020 – Link

Immunisation

  • Polio: leading virologist offers a beginner’s guide to the different viruses and vaccines – Link
  • Two years since rollout of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2): How’s it all working out? – Link
  • Perception and awareness towards malaria vaccine policy implementation in Nigeria by health policy actors – Link

Elimination progress

  • WHO certifies Azerbaijan and Tajikistan as malaria-free – Link
  • Insights into the elimination of vivax malaria in China – Link
  • The first commemoration of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day in Indonesia – Link 

Outbreak

  • Israel pediatric association urges immediate vaccination drive against polio – Link
  • Burundi declares outbreak of circulating poliovirus type 2 – Link

Climate and Health

  • Malaria hotspots and climate change trends in the hyper-endemic malaria settings of Mizoram along the India–Bangladesh borders – Link
  • Defunding prevention and climate change drive rebound of malaria in Peru – Link
  • What is the IPCC report? Here’s what to expect from the latest UN climate change assessment – Link
  • African policymakers ask for more data on climate and health – Link
  • Role of climate change In the emergence of parasitic diseases – Link
  • Suggestions for protecting the health of vulnerable people from the humanitarian consequences of climate change and climate related events – Link

Other

  • Factors influencing community acceptability of mass drug administration for the elimination of onchocerciasis in the Asante Akim South Municipal, Ghana – Link
  • 42 Years Needed to Achieve 2030 Agenda: Asia-Pacific Progress Report – Link
  • Opinion: The business case for investing in neglected tropical diseases – Link
  • A new key-player for onchocerciasis elimination – Link
  • Durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in Ethiopia – Link
  • Mekong Malaria Elimination: epidemiology summary, volume 20, October–December 2022 – Link
  • Report of the fifth meeting of the Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory – Link
  • Mapping current and future thermal limits to suitability for malaria transmission by the invasive mosquito Anopheles stephensis – Link
  • Effects of seasonal conditions on abundance of malaria vector Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, Djibouti, 2018–2021 – Link

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