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

15 November 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

• Namibia aiming to eliminate malaria through eco-friendly preventive strategies – Link
• The U.S. Government launches indoor spraying campaign to protect 850,000 people from malaria – Link
• Malawi rolls out effort to prevent malaria spread – Link
• Tanzania: War against malaria Samia seeks recognition of Tz efforts – Link

 

Diagnostic Testing and Treatment

• Safety of mass drug coadministration with ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, albendazole, and azithromycin for the integrated treatment of neglected tropical diseases: a cluster randomized community trial – Link 
• Towards the next generation of antimalaria combination therapies – Link
• Innovative diagnostics are key to achieving the 2030 targets for neglected tropical diseases – Link

 

Data

• Recommended reporting items for epidemic forecasting and prediction research: The EPIFORGE 2020 guidelines – Link
• WHO unveils new analytical tools on the ESPEN data portal – Link

 

Drug and Vaccine Development

• Freeze-dried malaria vaccine could add bite to global disease fight – Link to article | Link to paper
• Atreca, Gates MRI partner to develop antibody for malaria prevention – Link
• Dirt may be the secret to a more effective malaria treatment, McMaster study – Link to article | Link to paper

 

Drug Resistance

• Mass drug administration for the acceleration of malaria elimination in a region of Myanmar with artemisinin-resistant falciparum malaria: a cluster-randomised trial – Link

 

Immunisation

• WHO, UNICEF launch polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan with Taliban support – Link

 

Surveillance

• Development and validation of a framework to improve neglected tropical diseases surveillance and response at sub-national levels in Kenya – Link
• Polio Surveillance in Namibia – Link

 

Elimination Progress

• No polio detected in Tajikistan since third round of supplemental immunization – Link
• The seven steps South Africa is taking to get it closer to eliminating malaria – Link

 

Outbreak

• Malaria outbreak: Limpopo authorities on the lookout after deaths – Link

 

Other

• Unexpected Antibody Type Found in People with Malaria Infections – Link | Link to paper
• The global burden of Plasmodium vivax malaria is obscure and insidious – Link | Link to paper
• PAHO awards Malaria Champions of the Americas for 2021, launches Multisectoral Action Guide to support fight against the disease- Link
• Malaria: New knowledge about naturally acquired immunity may improve vaccines – Link | Link to paper

 

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