First PATTEC consultative workshop on strategies, technical advances and partnerships in tsetse and trypanosomosis management

Abstract

Tsetse and trypanosomiasis (T&T) remain endemic in many countries, although many efforts have been made in recent decades within the framework of the Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) Initiative, and despite progress observed both in research and development, and in the commitment of many partners to support control efforts. In order to create a functional multipartite platform to control T&T, a consultative workshop involving all stakeholders was held in 2014. In conclusion of the workshop, the competence and multidisciplinary of the various partners was acknowledged, as well as the need for progress in areas such as the revision of chemoprophylaxis and treatment strategies with regard animal trypanosomoses, the application of human African trypanosomiasis surveillance strategies, and the need to understand better the mechanism of resistance to trypanocides and the factors that maintain trypanosomiasis without tsetse transmission. The need to centralize the results of operational research to improve policy formulation and management techniques was also discussed. Geographic information systems were acknowledged as planning and management tools to control T&T. This first consultation workshop ended with a plea for better communication and a clear definition of roles as a guarantee of success of an effective partnership.