01581nas a2200217 4500000000100000008004100001653001100042653001600053653002500069653003900094653001200133653003900145100001700184700001600201700001800217700001600235245009100251856007000342520093700412022001401349 2018 d10aAfrica10aElimination10aLymphatic filariasis10aonchocerciasis elimination mapping10aLoiasis10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)1 aKelly-Hope L1 aBlundell HJ1 aMacfarlane CL1 aMolyneux DH00aInnovative surveillance strategies to support the elimination of filariasis in Africa. uhttps://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1471-4922%2818%2930113-23 a

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis are two neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) of public health significance targeted for global elimination. The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region is a priority region, with the highest collective burden of LF and onchocerciasis globally. Coendemic loiasis further complicates elimination due to the risk of adverse events associated with ivermectin treatment. A public health framework focusing on health-related data, systematic collection of data, and analysis and interpretation of data is used to highlight the range of innovative surveillance strategies required for filariasis elimination. The most recent and significant developments include: rapid point-of-care test (POCT) diagnostics; clinical assessment tools; new WHO guidelines; open-access online data portals; mHealth platforms; large-scale prevalence maps; and the optimisation of mathematical models.

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