Leprosy Mailing List – October 9, 2026
From: Elizabeth Talatu Williams, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
____________________________________________________________________________
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to share the September 2026 edition of the InfoNTD newsletter, featuring new research, practical resources, and important updates from the 2026 NNN Conference.
InfoNTD was glad to attend the 2026 NNN Conference in Kigali, where we officially launched the InfoNTD Chatbot, an AI-powered tool designed to help users easily find reliable NTD resources. We invite you to use the chatbot and share it with health workers and program managers in your network.
We also announced our new partnership with NNN to establish the NNN Resource Hub, creating a dedicated space to bring together resources for the NTD community. Stay tuned for more updates!
This edition highlights the latest WHO global leprosy update, which emphasises the importance of a person-centered approach to leprosy elimination.
Across the latest publications, we explore a range of cross-cutting NTD issues, covering schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, onchocerciasis, leishmaniasis, and trachoma. These issues include the use of AI and digital approaches for diagnosis, access to care, community engagement, health equity, diagnostics, and the integration of NTD services.
We also highlight an important global milestone, with WHO validating Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, as well as new opportunities and events for the NTD community.
We hope this edition provides valuable insights and resources to support your work and strengthen collaboration across the NTD community.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like access to full-text articles not directly available through InfoNTD, or if you would like support with literature searches.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Talatu Williams
www.InfoNTD.org
info@InfoNTD.org
Literature Reviews
Automating Diagnosis of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases via Patient Metadata through Machine Learning Model with Adaptive Balancing and Dual Cross-Validation: Retrospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Minyilu Y, Yimer MA, Meshesha M. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics. JMIR Publications Inc. 2026.
Stigma and discrimination among children affected by leprosy: a systematic review of a skin-related neglected tropical disease
Daehnhardt M, Cecil C, Bhorkar S, et al. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Oxford University Press (OUP). 2026.
Gendered experiences of people living with tuberculosis or leprosy: A global systematic review
Unterkircher SCW, Lenz J, Mwasuka G, et al. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Public Library of Science (PLoS). 2026; 20 (9): 1 - 25.
Therapeutic Management of Schistosomiasis in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Praziquantel Safety and Clinical Outcomes
Mustafa HM, Elfaki T, Adam I. Biomedicines. MDPI AG. 2026; 14 (9): 1 - 20.
Contemporary challenges of Schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil: a review of epidemiological indicators, SUS protocols, and control strategies (2010–2026)
Soares I, Gomes KNF, Faria RX. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases. Frontiers Media SA. 2026; 7 (1918824): 1 - 12.
Epidemiological transitions of Visceral Leishmaniasis in G20 countries: A 33-year retrospective joinpoint and demographic decomposition analysis with 20-year ARIMA projections
Wang Y, Zhang R, Liu Z, et al. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2026; 20 (9): 1 - 21.
Practical materials
International Snakebite Awareness Day Webinar: Connecting Climate, Communities and Care Through a One Health Approach
the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). 2026.
Epidemiological Record
Global leprosy (Hansen Disease) update, 2025: Strengthening a person-centered approach is integral to elimination of leprosy
World Health Organization. 2026.
New publications
Soil-transmitted helminth prevalence in a Sri Lankan sentinel community 22 years after the initiation of mass drug administration: a cross-sectional survey
Liyanapathiranage DA, Fernando BNT, Yahathugoda TC. BMC Infectious Diseases. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026.
The community drug distributor passport: a case study of training and recognition in Chad
Diane S, Oumar AM, Kali B, et al. Frontiers in Public Health. Frontiers Media SA. 2026; 14 (1879806.): 1 - 7.
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis prevalence and infection intensity among school-going children in Timor-Leste after the prolonged interruption of deworming: a cross-sectional survey (2025)
Jin H, Magno Neves MA, Pinto F, et al. The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia. Elsevier BV. 2026.
Co-designing the 'LEAD' strategy: A theory-informed stakeholder-led behavioural intervention to improve mass drug administration compliance for lymphatic filariasis elimination in an urban block of Odisha, India
Rehman T, Pattanaik A, Bal M, et al. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2026; 20 (9): 1 - 18.
Endemicity and environmental reservoirs of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in Ghanaian rural communities
Akologo RN, Williams I, Adu-Gyasi D, et al. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Public Library of Science (PLoS). 2026; 20 (9): 1 - 18.
Feasibility of paediatric schistosomiasis prevention with praziquantel, Madagascar
Marchese V, Andrianarimanana D, Ratefiarisoa S, et al. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2026; 104 (9): 601 - 612.
Towards point-of-care diagnostics of neglected tropical diseases using nucleic acid amplification tests
Priem N, Rodriguez-Mateos P, Waweru H, et al. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026.
Declining Onchocerca volvulus transmission despite limited ivermectin delivery in the Kakoi–Koda focus, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo: An epidemiological, entomological and landscape evidence synthesis
Amaral L, Ukety T, Upenjirwoth J, et al. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Public Library of Science (PLoS). 2026; 20 (8):1 - 26.
Epidemiological and entomological assessment of persistent onchocerciasis transmission after long-term ivermectin treatment in communities along the Kéllé river, Cameroon
Tanguep Siakam JL, Nwane PB, Nana Djeunga HC, et al. Scientific Reports. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026.
Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Their Impact on Nutritional and Anaemia Status Among School-Aged Children in Some Schools in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State Nigeria
Yusuf M, Isa A, Danjuma ES, et al. Journal of Science Research and Reviews. Erdel Concept. 2026; 3 (5): 117 - 126.
A Comparative Assessment of Onchocerciasis Knowledge and Ivermectin Uptake in Two Communities of Kano State, Nigeria
Mustapha, M.B., Surakat, O.A., Dogara, M.M., et al. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS). African Journals Online. 2026; 12 (3c): 270 – 279.
Insecurity as a driver of migration, and its impact on the uptake of neglected tropical diseases preventive chemotherapy interventions in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Olanrewaju TO, Enwezor FNC, Lar L, et al. BMC Public Health. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026.
A national geostatistical survey for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Zimbabwe following interruption of preventive chemotherapy
Midzi N, Mutsaka-Makuvaza M, Phiri I, et al. BMC global and public health. 2026; 4 (1): 1 - 13.
Shared and targeted barriers to care for skin-related neglected tropical diseases in two endemic communes of Benin: Toward a framework for resource allocation
Houngnihin R, Biao M, Gbèbioho B, et al. Dialogues in Health. Elsevier BV. 2026.
Forecasting the incidence of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia using global burden of disease 2021 data
Kelkay JM, Alemu EA, Alemayehu MA, et al. Discover Artificial Intelligence. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026; 6 (1): 1 - 18.
Ripple Effects Mapping of a gender equity and social inclusion behaviour change activity in Uganda’s trachoma effort
Ssegawa E, Chhan D, Karlsson C, et al. International Health. Oxford University Press (OUP). 2026.
Antigen Positivity Without Infection: Confirmatory Mapping in Children Rules out Lymphatic Filariasis in Loiasis Co-Endemic Settings in Gabon
Bakajika D, Atsame J, Pambou JR, et al. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. MDPI AG. 2026; 11 (10): 1 - 13.
Awareness perception and attitude towards neglected tropical diseases among health professionals in South-West Nigeria
Olaniyan KO, Akande FA, Adedeji OA, et al. Discover Public Health. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026; 23 (1): 1 - 23.
Absence of human yaws and detection of Haemophilus ducreyi in skin ulcers of school children near wildlife protected areas in Tanzania
Lubinza C, Anton A, Lueert S, et al. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2026; 20 (9): 1 - 14.
Impact of two rounds of azithromycin mass drug administration on active trachoma and ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Naoero
Cowling C, Apadinuwe S, Cama A, et al. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2026; 20 (9): 1 - 13.
Diagnosis of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis and treatment outcomes following carbon dioxide cryotherapy performed by health centre staff: A pilot implementation study in Ethiopia
Zewdu FT, Alemu K, Lambert S, et al. PLOS Global Public Health. Public Library of Science (PLoS). 2026; 6 (9):1 - 14.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Indigenous Population about Onchocerciasis in Endemic Communities of Kogi West, Kogi State, Nigeria
Zakari H, Audu PA, Lucas A, et al. Life Science Review. Research Floor. 2026; 10 (2): 56 - 66.
Feasibility of paediatric schistosomiasis prevention with praziquantel, Madagascar
Marchese V, Andrianarimanana D, Ratefiarisoa S, et al. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2026; 104 (9): 601 - 612.
News & Events
AEIP Scholars Programme 2026-2027 [Africa Europe Innovation Platform]
WHO validates Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem [World Health Organization]
World NTD Day 2027 Photo Competition [FESTMIH]
Senegal launches pilot study on schistosomiasis treatment for preschool-aged children in Kédougou region [ADP Health]
World Health Summit 2026
Date and Location: October 11 – 13, 2026, Berlin, Germany and Online
The World Health Summit 2026, held under the theme "From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health", will take place from October 11–13, 2026, in Berlin, Germany, and online. As the leading platform for global health, the World Health Summit convenes leaders from politics, science, civil society, and the private sector from around the world to catalyze collaborative and innovative solutions for key global health priorities.
GDPR & the InfoNTD newsletter
New EU data protection regulations came into force on 25 May 2018. We have been reviewing our practices with regards to the GDPR, including our privacy statement and mailing list.
InfoNTD sends out monthly e-mails with an overview of recent publications on NTDs and cross-cutting issues. The purpose of this activity is to keep subscribers up to date.
InfoNTD will only process the data we have (names, email addresses) for the purpose of sending you the newsletter. We take your security seriously and will never share your contact details with anyone else.
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list at any time.
__________________________________________________________________
LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder
LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/
Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Leprosy Mailing List" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to leprosymailinglist+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/leprosymailinglist/b863c5de-3c68-4292-801e-9fc119c7d1fdn%40googlegroups.com.
