MDP News & Resources

Scientific Publication

Diagnostics for onchocerciasis in the era of elimination

A review summarizing the progress made in identifying diagnostics that meet the specialized requirements needed to verify onchocerciasis elimination, as well as a discussion of why these tests were selected and a summary of the needs that still exist to complete the arsenal of diagnostic tools that will be useful as the goal of elimination is achieved. 

Scientific Publication

Establishing quality assured (QA) laboratory support for onchocerciasis elimination in Africa

Scientific Publication

For as Long as Necessary: Examining 30 years of MSD’s Focus on Achieving Elimination of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis

This article provides an overview of the three decades of dedicated effort Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A.*has put into its donation of Mectizan to assist in achieving the elimination of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. 

Scientific Publication

Onchocerciasis in Yemen: moving forward towards an elimination program

This publication reviews the history of the efforts to control onchocerciasis in Yemen and the current status of the disease, and identifies the essential changes needed to a mass drug administration (MDA) approach as the national program addresses elimination. 

Scientific Publication

Onchocerciasis in Yemen: moving forward towards an elimination program

The history of the control efforts and the current status of the disease are reviewed and the essential changes needed to a mass drug administration (MDA) approach are identified as the national program addresses elimination.

Scientific Publication

Onchocerciasis: shifting the target from control to elimination requires a new first-step—elimination mapping

Journal article discussing the concept that all areas where the worm that causes onchocerciasis might currently be transmitted—and where mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin treatment has not been delivered previously—must now be identified by careful, detailed “elimination mapping”. 

Scientific Publication

Onchocerciasis: the beginning of the end

The purpose of this publication is to provide proof of concept that, through a strong partnership between Merck’s donation of Mectizan, the endemic countries and donors, we can eliminate onchocerciasis, a scourge that was once classified as a disease that could only be controlled. 

Scientific Publication

Operationalization of the test and not treat strategy to accelerate the elimination of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in Central Africa

Scientific Publication

Progress toward elimination of onchocerciasis in the Americas

This article addresses elimination of onchocerciasis transmission in the Americas. With four of the six originally endemic American countries now WHO verified as having eliminated onchocerciasis transmission, and 95% of ivermectin treatments in the region halted, the regional focus is now on the remaining active transmission zone, called the Yanomami Area, on the border between Venezuela and Brazil. 

Scientific Publication

Refocusing vector assessment towards the elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa: a review of the current status in selected countries

Scientific Publication

The role of national committees in eliminating onchocerciasis

Scientific Publication

The role of the NGDO Coordination Group for the Elimination of Onchocerciasis

This article covers the role of the NGDO Coordination Group for the Control of Onchocerciasis. The Group was launched in 1992, and with the paradigm shift from control of disease to elimination of onchocerciasis transmission, the Group shifted its orientation to that new paradigm in 2013.

Scientific Publication

Transitioning from river blindness control to elimination: steps toward stopping treatment

This paper discusses some of the important issues that programmes are grappling with as they transition to elimination and provides some potential approaches that programmes can use to address them. 

Scientific Publication

Economic evaluations of lymphatic filariasis interventions: a systematic review and research needs

Published in Parasites and Vectors: Economic evaluations of lymphatic filariasis interventions: a systematic review and research needs

In 2000, the World Health Organization established the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), with the goal of eliminating the disease as a public health problem by 2020.

Documents

“Major obstacle for development”: Ending NTDs is crucial to achieve 2030 Agenda

In this article, the author explains “…the dire consequences of many untreated NTDs are chronic disease and disability. Thus, they contribute significantly to the global burden of chronic conditions and their consequences such as stigma, exclusion and poverty.” Website.

News

Neglected tropical diseases slowing down Kenya growth

07 February 2018

Article, Business Daily, February 7, 2018.

SUMMARY

News

River Blindness Transmission Interrupted in cross border Metema Focus, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

31 January 2018

Five years after the policy change from river blindness control to elimination, the Ministry of Health would like to announce the interruption of transmission in the Metema river blindness focus in Amhara Regional State.