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

12 Sep 2024 – 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

• Larvicidal potential of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract against malaria, dengue, and filariasis mosquito vectors – Link
• Insights into malaria vectors–plant interaction in a dryland ecosystem – Link

Diagnostic testing and treatment

• Real-time PCR for malaria diagnosis and identification of Plasmodium species in febrile patients in Cubal, Angola – Link
• Challenges in diagnosis of clinical and subclinical Plasmodium falciparum infections in Ghana and feasibility of reactive interventions to shrink the subclinical reservoir – Link

Data

• Spatial-temporal distribution of neglected tropical diseases burdens in China from 2005 to 2020 – Link
• Scorecard approach to eliminate Onchocerciasis in Venezuela – Link

Drug and vaccine development

• Malaria vaccine candidate could prevent infection during pregnancy – Link

Drug resistance

• Malaria parasites gain resistance to anti-malarial drugs, experts say – Link 

Immunisation

• Around 560 000 children vaccinated in first round of polio campaign in Gaza – Link

Surveillance

• Molecular xenomonitoring as an indicator of microfilaraemia prevalence for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa in 2019 – Link 

Elimination progress

• Progress toward Onchocerciasis elimination in Brazil – Link

Climate and Health

• UAE invited to join group tackling climate effects on health – Link
  
• The effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on malaria mortality at different spatial scales in western Kenya, 2008–2019 – Link
• Africa faces disproportionate burden from climate change and adaptation costs – Link

Other

• Ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis in the Pru District of Ghana after two decades of mass drug administration with ivermectin and comparative identification of members of the Simulium damnosum complex using cytological and morphological techniques – Link
• Iraq’s landmark achievement in polio transition reaps benefits – Link
• Knowledge, attitude and practice levels regarding malaria among the Semai sub-ethnic indigenous Orang Asli communities in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia: a stepping stone towards the prevention of human malaria re-establishment – Link
• Integrated Serosurveillance for Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Schistosomiasis in North Darfur, Sudan – Link
• Over 25 Years of hope: Development of Lymphatic Filariasis patient support groups in Haiti – Link
• Results of integrated transmission assessment surveys for Lymphatic Filariasis and Malaria in Haiti, 2017–2022 – Link
• Do residents believe that Onchocerciasis transmission was eliminated? Results of a post-treatment surveillance knowledge, attitude, and practices survey in three foci of Uganda – Link
• Evaluation of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication: A review of past deliberations – Link
• Newly discovered viruses in parasitic nematodes could change our understanding of how they cause disease – Link | Link to Paper
• Protecting internally displaced people from malaria – Link

 

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