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The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes an integrated strategy for neglected tropical diseases that present primarily with skin changes (skin NTDs) (1,2). These conditions are characterized by debilitating pathology, chronic [...]

Yaws, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue (TPE), is an infection of skin and soft tissues, affecting primarily children, with transmission driven by direct human-to-human contact (1). TPE [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential health services, including those provided by national neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs. Most mass drug administration (MDA) programs were postponed for 6–12 months following World Health Organization guidance released in April 2020 to temporarily halt NTD programs and launch necessary COVID-19 precautions. While NTD-endemic countries have since resumed MDA activities, it is critical to understand implementers' perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities for program relaunch, as these insights are critical for maximizing gains towards disease control and elimination during public health emergencies. Using data from using online surveys and focus group discussions, this mixed-methods study sought perspectives from Ministry of Health NTD Program Managers and implementing partners from non-governmental organizations working in sub-Saharan Africa. Data analysis revealed that findings converged around several main themes: disruptions for MDA programs included resource shortages due to prioritization of pandemic response, challenges adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols, and community hesitancy due to coronavirus transmission fears. Identified solutions for restarting MDA programs focused on adapting intervention delivery and packaging to minimize disease transmission, embracing technology to optimize intervention planning and delivery, and identifying opportunities to promote program integration between pandemic response strategies and NTD campaign delivery. Findings identifies key challenges due to disruptions to NTD program delivery and provide strategic recommendations for endemic countries to build resilient programs that can continue to perform during and beyond global pandemics. Author summary: In April 2020, global guidelines suspended mass drug administration (MDA) programs used in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the guidance aimed to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure and transmission among stakeholders involved in MDA delivery and recipient community members, it risked impeding the gains made by MDA programs towards NTD control and elimination, leaving billions at risk of these infectious diseases. This study summarizes the perspectives of Ministry of Health NTD Program Managers and representatives from non-governmental organizations across sub-Saharan African working in NTDs regarding challenges imposed on MDA programs by the COVID-19 pandemic and identify opportunities to improve planning and implementation during the relaunch of MDA programs. Respondents noted key disruptions for MDA programs, including resource shortages, challenges adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols, and community hesitancy due to coronavirus transmission fears. Specific solutions for restarting MDA programs included adaptations to MDA strategies to incorporate safer, low-contact drug delivery techniques, incorporating technology to optimize MDA planning and delivery, and identifying opportunities to promote integration between NTD campaign delivery and pandemic response strategies. This paper includes suggestions for building resilient programs that can continue to perform in the face of public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Girls and women living in endemic areas for urogenital schistosomiasis may have lifelong vulnerability to female genital schistosomiasis (FGS). For >2 decades, the importance of FGS has been increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, but without established policies for case detection and treatment. This research aimed to understand the level of FGS knowledge of frontline health workers and health professionals working in endemic areas and to identify health system needs for the effective management of FGS cases and prevention of further complications due to ongoing infections. Methods Workshops were conducted with health workers and stakeholders using participatory methods. These workshops were part of a quality improvement approach to develop the intervention. Results Health workers' and system stakeholders' knowledge regarding FGS was low. Participants identified key steps to be taken to improve the diagnosis and treatment of FGS in schistosomiasis-endemic settings, which focused mainly on awareness creation, supply of praziquantel, development of FGS syndromic management and mass administration of praziquantel to all eligible ages. The FGS intervention component varies across countries and depends on the health system structure, existing facilities, services provided and the cadre of personnel available. Conclusion Our study found that co-developing a new service for FGS that responds to contextual variations is feasible, promotes ownership and embeds learning across health sectors, including healthcare providers, NTD policymakers and implementers, health professionals and community health workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On March 20, 2015, 30 days after the most recent confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) patient in Liberia was isolated, Ebola was laboratory confirmed in a woman in Monrovia. The investigation identified only one epidemiologic link to Ebola: unprotected vaginal intercourse with a survivor. Published reports from previous outbreaks have demonstrated Ebola survivors can continue to harbor virus in immunologically privileged sites for a period of time after convalescence. Ebola virus has been isolated from semen as long as 82 days after symptom onset and viral RNA has been detected in semen up to 101 days after symptom onset. One instance of possible sexual transmission of Ebola has been reported, although the accompanying evidence was inconclusive. In addition, possible sexual transmission of Marburg virus, a filovirus related to Ebola, was documented in 1968. This report describes the investigation by the Government of Liberia and international response partners of the source of Liberia's latest Ebola case and discusses the public health implications of possible sexual transmission of Ebola virus. Based on information gathered in this investigation, CDC now recommends that contact with semen from male Ebola survivors be avoided until more information regarding the duration and infectiousness of viral shedding in body fluids is known. If male survivors have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal), a condom should be used correctly and consistently every time.