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

18 August 2021 1300 UTC+1
Virtual event

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 1-2pm UTC+1 Wednesday 18th August 2021 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.

Presentations will include:

  • Morbidity Hotspots: The differential impact of hybridized, mixed or single Schistosoma species infections on morbidity - Dr Sebastien Lambert, Postdoctoral Researcher, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
  • Severe persistent intestinal morbidity hotspots in the Lake Albertine region of Uganda -  Prof. Birgitte Vennervald, Professor Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, University of Copenhagen
  • Female and male genital schistosomiasis - Dr Amaya Bustinduy, Associate Professor, Tropical Paediatrics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
  • Schistosomiasis in pregnant women - Professor Alison Elliot, Professor Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Register now