When, Who, and How to Sample: Designing Practical Surveillance for 7 Neglected Tropical Diseases as We Approach Elimination

Toor, Jaspreet; Coffeng, Luc E.; Hamley, Jonathan I. D.; Fronterrè, Claudio; Prada, Joaquín M.; Castaño, María Soledad; Davis, Emma L; Godwin, William W; Vasconcelos, Andreia; Medley, Graham F.; Hollingsworth, T. Déirdre

doi:10.1093/infdis/jiaa198

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Finally, according to WHO, once interruption of transmission is close or has been achieved, affected countries will need to implement a surveillance system “to detect and respond to resurgence of transmission and to prevent reintroduction from regions where the disease is still endemic” [ 4 ]. Despite these recommendations, specific guidance and thresholds on when, where and how to adapt intervention strategies in near-to-elimination settings is yet to be developed [ 11 , 12 , 15 ]. More evidence on the feasibility, impact, effectiveness and sustainability of multi-pronged intervention approaches needs to be generated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission: study protocol for an intervention study

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem is set as target in the new World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap for 2030. Due to a long history of interventions, the Zanzibar islands of Tanzania have reached this goal since 2017. However, challenges occur on the last mile towards interruption of transmission. Our study will investigate new tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission. Methods The study is designed as an intervention study, documented through repeated cross-sectional surveys (2020–2024). The primary endpoint will be the sensitivity of a surveillance-response approach to detect and react to outbreaks of urogenital schistosomiasis over three years of implementation. The surveys and multi-disciplinary interventions will be implemented in 20 communities in the north of Pemba island. In low-prevalence areas, surveillance-response will consist of active, passive and reactive case detection, treatment of positive individuals, and focal snail control. In hotspot areas, mass drug administration, snail control and behaviour change interventions will be implemented. Parasitological cross-sectional surveys in 20 communities and their main primary schools will serve to adapt the intervention approach annually and to monitor the performance of the surveillance-response approach and impact of interventions. Schistosoma haematobium infections will be diagnosed using reagent strips and urine filtration microscopy, and by exploring novel point-of-care diagnostic tests. Discussion Our study will shed light on the field applicability and performance of novel adaptive intervention strategies, and standard and new diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis elimination. The evidence and experiences generated by micro-mapping of S. haematobium infections at community level, micro-targeting of new adaptive intervention approaches, and application of novel diagnostic tools can guide future strategic plans for schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar and inform other countries aiming for interruption of transmission. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISCRCTN91431493. Registered 11 February 2020, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN91431493

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission: study protocol for an intervention study

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As programs move toward elimination, maximizing information given limited resources will aid in targeting treatment and identifying possible areas of resurgence. Who and when to sample in survey design should be informed by the duration of infectiousness and whether there are high-risk groups [ 9 ]. Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of potential alternative surveillance strategies.…”

Section: Survey Design and Statistical Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

What Can Modeling Tell Us About Sustainable End Points for Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Minter

Pellis

Medley

et al. 2021

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As programs move closer toward the World Health Organization (WHO) goals of reduction in morbidity, elimination as a public health problem or elimination of transmission, countries will be faced with planning the next stages of surveillance and control in low prevalence settings. Mathematical models of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) will need to go beyond predicting the effect of different treatment programs on these goals and on to predicting whether the gains can be sustained. One of the most important challenges will be identifying the policy goal and the right constraints on interventions and surveillance over the long term, as a single policy option will not achieve all aims—for example, minimizing morbidity and minimizing costs cannot both be achieved. As NTDs move toward 2030 and beyond, more nuanced intervention choices will be informed by quantitative analyses which are adapted to national context.

show abstract

“…A recent history of renewed investment and strengthened public–private partnerships [ 3 ], combined with calls for enhanced integration [ 4 ], have regalvanized IDM programs globally. Task-shifting of case identification and management closer to affected communities, coupled with training of and motivation for healthcare workers, strengthened reporting, better diagnostics and treatments, and innovative active case finding strategies, are all likely to play pivotal roles if elimination goals are to be successfully achieved.…”

Section: What Does Elimination Mean In the Context Of Ntds?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Outlier areas and population groups become more prominent for transmission and potentially harder to find, and larger samples over broader areas are required to confirm trends [ 2 ]. Consequently, determining the optimal design of stand-alone and integrated surveillance approaches both during program implementation and prior to verification of elimination has been an urgent priority [ 3 ]. Once programs reach elimination targets, however, there is little consensus or guidance on how best to maintain effective surveillance [ 4 ].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hatherell

Simpson

Baggaley

et al. 2021

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The World Health Organisation 2030 Roadmap for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) emphasises the importance of strengthened, institutionalised “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 programmes, 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. Maximising utility depends not only on the availability of improved diagnostics but also better understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of transmission at low prevalence. To this end, we outline priorities for obtaining further data to better characterise optimal post-elimination surveillance platforms.

show abstract

When, Who, and How to Sample: Designing Practical Surveillance for 7 Neglected Tropical Diseases as We Approach Elimination

Cited by 11 publications

References 10 publications

Novel tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission: study protocol for an intervention study

Novel tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission: study protocol for an intervention study

What Can Modeling Tell Us About Sustainable End Points for Neglected Tropical Diseases?

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

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About