Schistosomiasis hotspots: why understanding morbidity hotspots is needed to achieve new WHO NTD road map targets

18 Aug 2021, 13:00 to 14:00

Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, published by the World Health Organization in January 2021 targets schistosomiasis for elimination as a public health problem (EPHP) by 2030.

The road map defines EPHP as less than 1% heavy intensity infections. However, as schistosomiasis control accelerates and new detection tools are developed, evidence of specific persistent morbidity hotspots has emerged, which do not necessarily indicate intensity-alone hotspots.

Join the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene and the London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research at 13:00-14:00 on Wednesday 18 August to discuss why morbidity hotspots may occur, what we understand by them, and what is required next.

The research afternoon will include four short presentations on this topic, followed by a live Q&A where audience members will be able to share and discuss their experiences with the panellists. 

The event will be moderated by Professor Joanne Webster, Chair of Parasitic Diseases, Director Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Royal Veterinary College and Associate Director LCNTDR.

Speakers

Presentations will include:
 

  • Morbidity hotspots: the differential impact of hybridised, mixed or single Schistosoma species infections on morbidity
    Speaker: Dr Sebastien Lambert, Postdoctoral Researcher, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
     
  • Severe persistent intestinal morbidity hotspots in the Lake Albertine region of Uganda
    Speaker: Professor Birgitte Vennervald, Professor Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, University of Copenhagen
     
  • Genital schistosomiasis: morbidity, diagnostics, and the road forward
    Speaker: Dr Amy Sturt, PhD candidate, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
     
  • Schistosomiasis in pregnant women
    Speaker: Professor Alison Elliott, Professor Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Registration

Registration is free

Register now