COntrolling and progressively Minimizing the Burden of Animal Trypanosomosis

Project Information

COMBAT

Grant agreement ID: 101000467

DOI

10.3030/101000467

EC signature date 27 May 2021

Start date 1 September 2021

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 7 235 871,77

EU contribution

€ 5 901 062,00

Coordinated by

CENTRE DE COOPERATION INTERNATIONALE EN RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE POUR LEDEVELOPPEMENT - C.I.R.A.D. EPIC
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - COMBAT (COntrolling and progressively Minimizing the Burden of Animal Trypanosomosis)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Trypanosomosis is a vector-borne disease that affects livestock and humans, with heavy socio-economic impacts in Africa. The disease is transmitted by tsetse and other biting flies. Animal trypanosomosis (AT) is a constant drain on the resources of poor African livestock keepers, but is also present in Latin America and Asia, and incursions have been reported from continental Europe. The human form of African trypanosomosis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a deadly disease targeted for elimination by the World Health Organization.
The goal of COMBAT is to reduce the burden of AT in Africa. The project builds on the progressive control pathway (PCP), an evidence-based, phased approach to disease reduction and elimination. COMBAT aims to improve basic knowledge of AT, develop novel control tools, reinforce surveillance, rationalize control strategies, build capacities and raise awareness. Outstanding questions on disease epidemiology, trypanotolerance, vector ecology and competence are to be studied, innovative, eco-friendly tools for vector control and more effective diagnostics developed, and information systems on disease and vector distribution established, including the mapping of disease risk in Africa and beyond. Surveillance will be strengthened through information technology and enhanced reporting. The disease burden will be assessed at the continental, national and local levels. PCP-smart national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed, including internationally agreed guidelines.
A crucial enabling factor for the achievement of the wider COMBAT goals is its consortium, with 21 full participants and three third parties, a blend of European and African research institutions, national veterinary authorities, international organizations, and a geographically-balanced representation across Africa. A high-profile External Advisory Board, a broad external network, and several regional initiatives contribute to enhancing the impacts of the project.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first 36 months, the project generated new epidemiological knowledge on the ecology of AT players. On the vector side, pheromones of cyclical and mechanical vectors were characterized, their competences explored, and the genetics of tsetse populations studied. Through surveys in six countries, insights into the ecology of mechanical vectors were gained. On the host front, genetic characterization of livestock species was carried out, and experimental infections compared biological parameters and attractiveness to tsetse of cattle breeds. For the parasite, drug-resistant strains were characterized to investigate resistance determinants.
New tools are being developed for sustainable vector monitoring and control. Essential oils showed insecticidal and repellent properties, and a biodegradable trap was selected for further evaluation. A drone prototype was customized for fly capture. As for diagnostics, the reference antibody detection ELISA was improved, and multivalent recombinant antigens were expressed. Monoclonal, polyclonal, and nanobody binders were produced for antigen-capture tests.
The FAO continental atlas of tsetse and AT was completed, and eight countries developed national new atlases. Five countries enhanced existing atlases. Tsetse distribution models were developed for Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Senegal, while the risk of AT for Europe was estimated to be ‘low’. For disease burden assessment, a literature review was completed and new field surveys were carried out.
One virtual international workshop and two physical ones were held to enhance and streamline the PCP into national policies. PCP guidelines were drafted by FAO, and seventeen national workshops were held to develop PCP-smart national strategies. Several countries drafted PCP maps at the subnational level, and Kenya drafted a 10-year PCP roadmap.
Capacity-building is a cornerstone of the project, with 21 Master/DVM students, 17 PhDs, and 5 postdoctoral fellows being trained. All partners on the African continent received training, notably a course on socio-economic burden assessment, eleven courses on atlas development (160 people trained), and five on vector trapping and identification. Partners also organized trainings for their staff and local actors, and carried out awareness and sensitization activities.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

COMBAT is gaining deeper insights into AT epidemiology, with a focus on the often-neglected role of mechanical vectors. The project generates biodegradable vector control tools, and is endeavouring to develop diagnostics for AT research and control for broad adoption in Africa. These tools are expected to be less expensive than existing ones and will reduce the use of laboratory animals.
COMBAT develops new national atlases of AT and its vectors, updates and enhances existing ones, updates long out-of-date tsetse maps for Africa and assembles data to draw, for the first time, an overall picture of AT at the continental level. These datasets will allow more robust, data-driven estimations of disease burden and a better targeting of field interventions. The AT risk for Europe was also estimated for the first time. PCP guidelines are drafted, and harmonized, evidence-based strategies and roadmaps are being developed for reinforced control at the national, transboundary and continental level.
All COMBAT activities are accompanied by extensive training and reinforcement of capacity in Africa, with a view to the long-term sustainability of the results.
COMBAT is having a major impact on the control and surveillance of AT in Africa. By directly benefitting 13 endemic countries and by reaching out beyond the consortium, it is to date the largest coordinated project to fight AT. In the short term, thanks to the conducive environment provided by COMBAT, several countries are leveraging support and commitment for national governments to reinvigorate the institutions in charge of AT control. In the medium to long term this renewed commitment is expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of AT impacts, and therefore to the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular poverty reduction, hunger elimination and health for all.

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