Berlin, 14.10.2024 - Under the title “Battling Neglected Tropical Diseases in Times of Climate Change”, the workshop of the German Network against Neglected Tropical Diseases took place as part of the World Health Summit, with great interest from the expert audience present.
The speakers were: Dr. Jérôme Salomon | Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, Dr. Bernadette Abela-Ridder | World Health Organization (WHO) | Department for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | Team Leader, Eduardo Eugenio Bittencourt de Gomensoro | Takeda Vaccines | Global Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead | United States of America, Dr. Martin Barasa | Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) | Lead Program | Kenya, Prof. Dr. Norbert Mencke | Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany | Member of The Supervisory Board | Germany, Dr. Claus Runge | Chief Health Equity Officer, Bayer Pharma.
Chairs of the workshop were: Prof. Dr. Achim Hörauf | University Hospital Bonn | Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology | Director of the Institute | Germany, Dr. Dr Carsten Köhler | University Hospital Tübingen | Center of Competence at Institute for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Human Parasitology | Director of Center of Competence | Germany.
In his brief introduction, Dr. Jérôme Salomon, WHO, emphasized that it was high time to set the course for global health now, especially with regard to climate change, and took up the frequently used political motto: “Time to act is now”.
Dr. Bernadette Abela-Ridder, WHO, gave an overview of the link between climate change and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The rural population in low-income countries is particularly affected. She pointed out that the consequences of climate change are not new. What is new, however, is that they are now repeated so often that the elimination of NTDs must take place quickly. The data situation is not so good, but modeling shows that vector-borne transmissions are increasing. Snake and human habitats are coming more into contact due to flooding, but also due to droughts, e.g. at the ever decreasing number of water points. She pleaded for a consistent One Health approach for a sustainable fight against NTDs.
Eduardo Eugenio Bittencourt de Gomensoro, Takeda focused on the global threat of dengue in addition to the “Burden of Disease”, disease pattern and spread. Climate changes such as higher temperatures, more rainfall, floods and droughts are leading to changes in the distribution area and transmission times of NTDs. As a result, diseases such as dengue are increasingly occurring in regions such as the southern USA, southern Europe and parts of Africa. He emphasized that Takeda is aware of its social responsibility and is addressing this together with all partners in the healthcare sector in endemic and non-endemic countries in view of the increasing threat of dengue in order to be able to meet the growing demand in the future. In the course of the Q&A session, he referred to the cooperation with a manufacturer in India in order to be able to meet the demand in national vaccination programs by 2030.
Dr. Martin Barasa and Prof. Dr. Norbert Mencke, Veterinarians Without Borders, described the connection between climate change and NTDs, snakebites and Soil Transmitted Helminths. Dr. Martin Barasa explained that flooding is the main cause of snakebites in South Sudan. Snakes would move away from the water to higher areas with tall grass where people live. But drought would also cause the reptiles to seek out waterholes that are also frequented by people with their animals. Prof. Dr. Norbert Mencke highlighted the importance of WASH in combating Soil Transmitted Helminths and how worm infections can be reduced with access to clean drinking water: Floods and drought cause humans and animals to leave their traditional habitats. Prof. Dr. Norbert Mencke appealed once again to all those present that research and development are important, but useless if they do not reach the people who need them.
Dr. Claus Runge, Bayer, used the example of Chagas disease to explain how this infection is increasingly spreading to the countries of the global North. Migration is a key factor here, which is why screening initiatives are important. Bayer is working with DNDi, the Swiss Tropical Institute and Bonn University Hospital to develop a new drug against river blindness. However, drug development takes more than ten years.
Dr. Louise Kelly-Hope, University of Liverpool, also addressed the topic of migration. Climate change and crises are forcing affected people to migrate, even to areas where NTDs are endemic. Flooding was the main reason for this. She lamented the current lack of data. Even at country level, there is little data. The situation is even worse at regional level. However, this is important in order to obtain a more detailed and precise picture.
Finally, it was pointed out once again that development and research are important, but that it is important to act now and to better implement the existing drugs and antisera against snakebites.
The stream of the event is available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf-AXHWVNuk
