The COMBAT project: controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases affecting livestock have serious impacts in Africa. Trypanosomosis is caused by parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and other blood-sucking Diptera. The animal form of the disease is a scourge for African livestock keepers, is already present in Latin America and Asia, and has the potential to spread further. A human form of the disease also exists, known as human African trypanosomosis or sleeping sickness. Controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of animal trypanosomosis (COMBAT) is a four-year research and innovation project funded by the European Commission, whose ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of animal trypanosomosis (AT) in Africa. The project builds on the progressive control pathway (PCP), a risk-based, step-wise approach to disease reduction or elimination. COMBAT will strengthen AT control and prevention by improving basic knowledge of AT, developing innovative control tools, reinforcing surveillance, rationalizing control strategies, building capacity, and raising awareness. Knowledge gaps on disease epidemiology, vector ecology and competence, and biological aspects of trypanotolerant livestock will be addressed. Environmentally friendly vector control technologies and more effective and adapted diagnostic tools will be developed. Surveillance will be enhanced by developing information systems, strengthening reporting, and mapping and modelling disease risk in Africa and beyond. The socio-economic burden of AT will be assessed at a range of geographical scales. Guidelines for the PCP and harmonized national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed. Gender equality and ethics will be pivotal in all project activities. The COMBAT project benefits from the expertise of African and European research institutions, national veterinary authorities, and international organizations. The project consortium comprises 21 participants, including a geographically balanced representation from 13 African countries, and it will engage a larger number of AT-affected countries through regional initiatives.

Multimodal interactions in Stomoxys navigation reveals synergy between olfaction and vision

“…A significant attraction of Stomoxys spp . to various colors, but red demonstrated high efficacy and selectivity to Stomoxys spp ., independent of ecologies demonstrating it is an environmentally preferred trap and may be used to combat vector borne diseases such as animal trypanosomiasis[79]. Host odor blend dispensed from nanopolymer bead significantly increased trap catch, demonstrating the importance of integrating multimodal signals (odor and visual) for maximum Stomoxys attraction.…”

Limited impact of vector control on the population genetic structure ofGlossina fuscipes fuscipesfrom the sleeping sickness focus of Maro, Chad

“…The main aim of the present study was to assess the impact of vector control, through tiny target deployment, on the population biology of tsetse flies, using population genetics tools. This work is part of a broader program on vector control actions against tsetse flies in different countries affected by Glossina borne diseases of humans and animals [ 3 , 42 ] with similar approaches. In Chad, among the two documented HAT foci (Mandoul and Maro) [ 42 ], the consequences of tiny target deployment on the population biology of treated populations could be assessed only in Maro where enough flies could be trapped after control had begun (T1 and T2 of the present study), while only two or no flies could be captured in Mandoul after tiny targets deployment [ 38 ].…”