The potential impact of programmes interruptions due to COVID-19 on 7 neglected tropical diseases: a modelling-based analysis

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) will impact the progress of neglected tropical disease (NTD) programmes. In the short term, World Health Organization (WHO) guidance advises that many NTD surveys, active case finding activities, and mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns should be postponed, whilst support for prompt diagnosis, treatment, and essential vector control should continue where possible (WHO, 2020). Understanding if these interruptions will erode previous gains and, therefore, what can be done to prevent or make up for increases in transmission or resurgence, is essential. This report describes the results of mathematical modelling analyses which evaluate the impact of COVID-19-related delays or interruptions to neglected tropical diseases (NTD) programmes on the achievement of NTD goals across 7 NTDs (soil-transmitted helminthiasis; schistosomiasis; lymphatic filariasis; onchocerciasis; trachoma; visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian sub-continent and Gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis). The findings in this report provide a quantitative framework to stakeholders who wish to understand the impact of interruption or delay of interventions on control and elimination timelines and remedial strategies that could be implemented to mitigate the delays

DOI

10.21955/gatesopenres.1116665.1

Type

Report

Publication Date

2020-07-24T00:00:00+00:00

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