Montreal, August 17, 2026 – At the 16th International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA XVI 2026), one session focused on “Neglected Tropical Diseases in a Changing World.” It brought together international networks dedicated to combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The session highlighted scientific advances as well as the question of how international collaboration and joint strategies can contribute to greater health equity. Prof. Achim Hoerauf, MD, Director of the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology at University Hospital Bonn and spokesperson for the German network, spoke about new drugs and innovative approaches to combating neglected tropical diseases. The development of new therapies is an important component in improving treatment options for affected populations.
Adriano Casulli, Research Director at the Italian National Institute of Health, used Italy as an example to demonstrate that neglected tropical diseases are increasingly occurring outside traditional tropical regions. He advocated complementing the term NTDs with Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs). This established a direct link to the congress motto, “Parasites in a Changing World.” Climate change in particular can influence the distribution of vectors such as mosquitoes, potentially facilitating the emergence of certain parasitic diseases in new regions.
Jadel Kratz from DNDi subsequently highlighted the importance of international networks and partnerships in developing new approaches to disease control.
The session concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Alison Krentel, representative of the Canadian Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Senior Investigator at the Bruyère Health Research Institute. Representatives of networks from Canada, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan presented their respective areas of focus and discussed joint strategies for the future control of neglected tropical diseases.
The symposium at the parasitology congress underscored that diseases such as leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and trypanosomiasis are closely linked to global changes and public health challenges. Climate change, the One Health approach, and international collaboration are becoming increasingly important in the fight against these diseases.
