Work Package 4: Neglected Tropical Diseases

Drawing inspiration from the lessons learned through the Ebola epidemic, this work package focuses on capacity strengthening on molecular diagnostic tools for helminths infection for molecular analyses of stored samples to generate data on Schisto hybrid prevalence, supporting intercountry surveillance of STH infections in selected countries to facilitate assessment of the efficacy of school deworming strategies and identifying genetic modification (SNP) of parasites associated with drug tolerance and resistance. Led by the University of Cheikh Anta Diop’s Department of Parasitology, the activities of this work package are aimed at achieving the following objectives:
1. To train sites and roll-out molecular diagnostics tools for helminths infection
2. To conduct a molecular epidemiological survey on helminths prevalence and anthelmint
3. To build capacities for clinical, laboratory and public health rapid response