Over 50 years of use of same trypanocides has led to resistance by parasites tsetsefly that cause trypanosomiasis. The Director of the African Union- InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) Dr. Huyam Salih says resistance to trypanocides is an emerging challenge, “and there is need to put in place mechanisms to monitor drug use in both humans and animals and assess the scale of chemoresistance and develop clear guidelines for trypanocides stewardship under One Health principles.”
In an interview on the 37th Conference of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) Dr. Salih explained that, “for a long time in the animal sector we have not been coming up with new drugs, for 50 years we have been using the same drug,” she said and added, “so we need to monitor, we need to make sure that we have new drugs to get to the market.”
She noted that through support by member states and partners, researchers are working on developing effective trypanocides to continue efforts aimed at eradicating animal trypanosomiasis.
The conference with the theme: “Harnessing One Health Technologies & Innovations towards Eliminating Trypanosomiasis in Africa” Dr. Salih explained that there is a nexus between human health, animal health, ecosystem health and the trypanosomiasis challenge, “and humans and its resolution call for one health approaches, including alignment of policy and innovations across disciplines and sectors.”
Dr. Salih is calling for investment in Integrated Surveillance Systems combining human, animal, and vector data to detect outbreaks early, “use of geospatial tools and mobile diagnostics to monitor tsetse fly distribution and parasite prevalence in both livestock and humans,” she said and added, “There is need to foster Cross-Sector Collaboration and coordination between medical, veterinary, and environmental agencies and alignment of national, regional and continental strategies.”
She stressed the need for involvement of local communities in vector control and health education and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for vector mapping, predictive modeling, and decision support systems.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tsetse And Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC) Dr. Seth Onyango said that the tsetsefly infestation is in 38 out of our 47 counties in Kenya, “in the counties in Western Kenya, Nyanza, the Meru-Mwea areas in Central Kenya, Lake Bogoria region and Maasai Mara as well as North Coast and South Coast.”
Dr. Onyango noted that counties which are in close proximity to the conservation areas are most affected due to interaction of livestock with wild animals. “Hotspot areas include, Lambwe Valley, in South Nyanza, and Lake Bogoria region,” he said and added, that the three areas are piloted under the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC)
The KENTTEC 2023-2027 Strategic Plan for eradication of tsetsefly and trypanosomiasis has a multi-sectoral approach in efforts to eradicate trypanosomiasis. The strategy includes: systematic tsetse fly vector control using traps and insecticide-treated targets, parasite control through chemotherapy and active surveillance, and using a progressive control pathway. “The overall goal is to eradicate the disease and its vector to improve public health, boost livestock production, and support the economy,” said Dr. Onyango.
