Research to combat neglected tropical diseases in Madagascar

Meet Herizo, our new superstar research associate in Madagascar. Multi-talented, he is a pro on the microscope, and is working with HIH on research around the disease schistosomiasis. 

Spreading via water contact and affecting up to half of the youth population in some villages in Madagascar, schistosomiasis is this disease is second only to malaria as the most dangerous parasitic disease. After learning that the parasite is carried by snails, and with the help of Herizo, HIH aims to identify areas inhabited by these snails in order to reduce human contact and transmission.

Elsewhere in Madagascar, at HIH sites in the Farafangana district, long awaited schistosoma and tuberculosis detection training has started! 

In collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Saarland University in Germany, the HIH health team has recently introduced microscopes and accompanying training to primary care clinics across the district to allow the detection of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as schistosoma.