Public health policy pillars for the sustainable elimination of zoonotic schistosomiasis

Janoušková, E., Clark, J. , Kajero, O., Alonso, S., Lamberton, P. H.L. , Betson, M. and Prada, J. M. (2022) Public health policy pillars for the sustainable elimination of zoonotic schistosomiasis. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 3, 826501. (doi: 10.3389/fitd.2022.826501)

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Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease acquired through contact with contaminated freshwater. The definitive hosts are terrestrial mammals, including humans, with some Schistosoma species crossing the animal-human boundary through zoonotic transmission. An estimated 12 million people live at risk of zoonotic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mekongi, largely in the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Region and in Indonesia. Mathematical models have played a vital role in our understanding of the biology, transmission, and impact of intervention strategies, however, these have mostly focused on non-zoonotic Schistosoma species. Whilst these non-zoonotic-based models capture some aspects of zoonotic schistosomiasis transmission dynamics, the commonly-used frameworks are yet to adequately capture the complex epi-ecology of multi-host zoonotic transmission. However, overcoming these knowledge gaps goes beyond transmission dynamics modelling. To improve model utility and enhance zoonotic schistosomiasis control programmes, we highlight three pillars that we believe are vital to sustainable interventions at the implementation (community) and policy-level, and discuss the pillars in the context of a One-Health approach, recognising the interconnection between humans, animals and their shared environment. These pillars are: (1) human and animal epi-ecological understanding; (2) economic considerations (such as treatment costs and animal losses); and (3) sociological understanding, including inter- and intra-human and animal interactions. These pillars must be built on a strong foundation of trust, support and commitment of stakeholders and involved institutions.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Tropical diseases, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mekongi, NTD, epidemiology, economics, sociology, mathematical modelling, zoonotic transmission.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Alonso, Dr Sergi and Clark, Dr Jessica and Lamberton, Professor Poppy and Prada Jimenez de Cisneros, Dr Joaquin
Authors: Janoušková, E., Clark, J., Kajero, O., Alonso, S., Lamberton, P. H.L., Betson, M., and Prada, J. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Frontiers in Tropical Diseases
Publisher:Frontiers Media
ISSN:2673-7515
ISSN (Online):2673-7515
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 Janouškova, Clark, Kajero, Alonso, Lamberton, Betson and Prada
First Published:First published in Frontiers in Tropical Diseases 3: 826501
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
306474Harnessing environmental metabolomics to understand algal warfareSofia SpatharisWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)204820/Z/16/ZLS - Animal Biology
306568Mathematical tools to inform sustainable interventions against schistosomiasis infections in UgandaPoppy LambertonEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)88608 (EP/T003618/1)HW - Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
174071Cultural, social and economic influences on ongoing schistosomiasis transmission, despite a decade of mass treatment, and the potential for changePoppy LambertonMedical Research Council (MRC)MR/P025447/1Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine