The 2nd Podoconiosis Conference: From Neglect to Elimination with Country Ownership

The 2nd Podoconiosis Conference was held under the auspices of the International Conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (InCORNTD) in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the theme "From Neglect to Elimination with Country Ownership," over 100 delegates from 14 countries convened. Participants included individuals affected by podoconiosis, researchers, implementers, people with lived experience and policymakers, all united in the shared goal of eliminating this neglected tropical disease (NTD). The conference aligned with the WHO NTD Roadmap, emphasizing the critical role of country ownership in driving progress towards elimination.

The 2nd Podoconiosis Conference was a resounding success, achieving high levels of attendee satisfaction. Participants expressed positive feedback regarding the informative research and implementation sessions, noting the clear objectives, appropriate duration, and balanced content. The panel discussion, focused on advocating for WHO recognition of podoconiosis and developing community-based strategies, was particularly well-received. Networking opportunities were also highly valued by attendees. Continue reading...

Lymphatic filariasis: Simple Measures with a Big Impact

The investigated disease management is based particularly on hygiene measures. The swellings and wounds, which usually occur on the feet and legs of patients, must be carefully cleaned once or twice a day and treated with antiseptic ointments if necessary. Other measures such as light physical activity, elevation of the affected leg and simple massage techniques - as well as wearing appropriately adapted footwear - are also necessary. In addition to the hygiene measures, some patients also benefit from taking the antibiotic doxycycline. “Conducting our studies was extremely challenging. Our study teams travelled long, and sometimes dangerous, distances to visit the affected population in the often difficult-to-reach villages and communities and trained them in disease management,” says Hörauf. “This was successful: in total, we were able to include around 1,400 patients suffering from advanced lymphatic filariasis in the studies - and comprehensively track their disease progression over two years. This is very important data, that is incorporated into the WHO's treatment recommendations, for example.” Continue reading...