[00659] Understanding persisting onchocerciasis hotspots in Africa using mathematical models
Session Time & Room : 5D (Aug.25, 15:30-17:10) @D514
Type : Contributed Talk
Abstract : Onchocerciasis/river blindness is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease with persistent transmission hotspots despite the repeated distribution of ivermectin in endemic communities in Africa. One of the hypotheses for the persistence of transmission is due to the movement of parasites via infected humans and/or vectors between neighbouring communities. I have explored how vector movement affects transmission using spatially-structured mathematical models informed by genetic and environmental data, which might aid in making public-health decisions to eliminate onchocerciasis.
