It was discovered that the majority of communities (89.4%) are aware of onchocerciasis. They also have a good awareness of the severity, preventability, therapy, and mode of transmission, yet they have certain misunderstandings. The communities' attitudes towards community directed therapy (CDT) using Ivermectin is positive (68.5%). According to 56% of the community, offering incentives for community drug distributors (CDD) has the potential to make the elimination campaign more successful. Different measures, such as avoiding any activities near the river, are important in the process of eradicating this disease at the community level. 

This study sought to understand how SNPs [single nucleotide polymorphisms] in genes encoding cytokines and associated transcription factors influence susceptibility and immune responses to schistosomiasis. Here, we report a range of SNPs upregulating immune responses being highly frequent among our Zimbabwean sample, and in addition identify two novel infection-associated loci. 

Currently, Donggala Institute for Health Research and Development is analyzing the result of this survey. The interim report on 17 June 2022 showed that there were fourteen confirmed positive cases, localized only in two endemic villages. This means Indonesia is in the last miles of its schistosomiasis elimination.

A STH preventive chemotherapy program is indicated for nearly all municipalities in Uige and select municipalities in Huambo and Zaire. 

A survey conducted in 1994 in school aged children showed that soil-transmitted helminth were very intensively transmitted in Pemba Island (Zanzibar) with prevalence near to 100%. Between 1994 and 2011 several rounds of administration of anthelminthic were organized and a second survey was conducted in 2011 showing a decrease of prevalence and intensity of infection. The present paper reports the results of a third survey conducted in 2021 showing a further decline of the prevalence and a persistence of T. trichiura as the more prevalent parasite (in 1994 hookworms were the most transmitted STH). The interventions conducted until now where not sufficient to eliminate the morbidity caused by these parasites and it is suggested to include ivermectin in the anthelminthic distributed periodically.

The proportion of azithromycin mass treatment coverage of this study was lower than the WHO minimum target coverage. Thus, strengthening awareness, enhancing azithromycin mass trachoma treatment messages, and conducting campaigns off-season outside of harvesting and planting time should be prioritized in the future to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.

The most urgent priority is nationwide disease surveillance studies in endemic countries so governments can find out what they’re really up against.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking experts to serve as members of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Deadline July 16.

World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced plans to set up a mentorship programme for African women working in neglected tropical diseases programmes. The mentorship is in honour of the late Dr Mwele Malecela, who was one of Africa’s most highly respected female scientists and public health leaders. The mentorship programme will provide African women with leadership training skills as well as travel and networking opportunities to become leaders and champions of the efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.

Check out this under 3 minute video on "What makes the NTD supply chain forum a success?"

Arab countries cannot achieve the 2030 global agenda without control and elimination of prevalent NTDs. Researchers in Arab countries need to establish strong research networks to exchange expertise on all NTDs.

With dengue cases increasing even more in already endemic areas and spreading farther north, it’s more important than ever to accelerate research, she says.