35th African conference on Trypanosomiasis research holds September 23-27

The 35th general conference of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) in Africa is scheduled for September 23 to 27 in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference is themed: “Impact of African Trypanosomiasis on Human and Animal Health, Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the face of challenges to sustainable investment in African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) control and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) elimination.”

Otherwise known as sleeping-sickness, Trypanosomiasis is a major Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) affecting human and animals in about thirty-eight countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is transmitted by Tsetse Fly and kills thousands of people across Africa each year, while about 60 to 70 million people are at risk of contracting it on the continent.

On this premise, the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) in Africa was established in 1949 to serve as the statutory council of the African Union Commission (AUC) dedicated to promoting international cooperation in the fight against the scourge of trypanosomiasis –which severely affects human and livestock health, and remains one of Africa’s greatest constraints to socio-economic development on the continent.

“[This year`s] theme builds upon the 34th conference that was held in Livingstone, Zambia focused on capitalizing on the progress made against human and animal trypanosomiases – and way forward in partnership with all stakeholders. This year, the Conference will be hosted by the Government of Nigeria, thus providing an opportunity for the Federal Government of Nigeria to showcase its fight against tsetse and trypanosomiasis in Africa,” said a press statement by the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) in Africa, ahead of the conference next week.

“The over 300 delegates from across the globe will also celebrate 70 years since the establishment of the council. Thus the event will not only strengthen networking amongst the tsetse and Trypanosomiasis research and control workers, but will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the past years, consequently provide better planning on tsetse and Trypanosomiasis research and control for the years ahead,” added the ISCTRC.

According to the statement, the ISCTRC awards will be presented to 10 key sector players for their innovation and leadership in Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis eradication. The award was established to acknowledge distinguished experts who have devoted a major part of their careers to the discovery and development of better control mechanisms in tsetse and Trypanosomiasis research and control in the past.