Sustainable Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases for the Post-Elimination Era

Overview

Journal Clin Infect Dis

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2021 May 12

PMID 33977302

Citations 10

Authors

Hollie-Ann Hatherell

Hope Simpson

Rebecca F Baggaley

T Deirdre Hollingsworth

Rachel L Pullan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) 2030 road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) emphasizes the importance of strengthened, institutionalized "post-elimination" surveillance. The required shift from disease-siloed, campaign-based programming to routine, integrated surveillance and response activities presents epidemiological, logistical, and financial challenges, yet practical guidance on implementation is lacking. Nationally representative survey programs, such as demographic and health surveys (DHS), may offer a platform for the integration of NTD surveillance within national health systems and health information systems. Here, we describe characteristics of DHS and other surveys conducted within the WHO Africa region in terms of frequency, target populations, and sample types and discuss applicability for post-validation and post-elimination surveillance. Maximizing utility depends not only on the availability of improved diagnostics but also on better understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of transmission at low prevalence. To this end, we outline priorities for obtaining additional data to better characterize optimal post-elimination surveillance platforms.

Citing Articles

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Monitoring of Leishmania transmission in the postelimination phase: The potential of serological surveys.

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