The COMBAT project: controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa

Boulangé, A. et al.;

The COMBAT project: controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa

Version 2 (15 August 2022)

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 26 p.

Author Boulangé, A. et al.;

Publisher Open Research Europe ;

Product type Article

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Vector-borne diseases affecting livestock have serious impacts in Africa. Trypanosomosis is caused by parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and other blood-sucking Diptera. The animal form of the disease is a scourge for African livestock keepers, is already present in Latin America and Asia, and has the potential to spread further. A human form of the disease also exists, known as human African trypanosomosis or sleeping sickness. Controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of animal trypanosomosis (COMBAT) is a fouryear research and innovation project funded by the European Commission, whose ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of animal trypanosomosis (AT) in Africa. The project builds on the progressive control pathway (PCP), a risk-based, step-wise approach to disease reduction or elimination. COMBAT will strengthen AT control and prevention by improving basic knowledge of AT, developing innovative control tools, reinforcing surveillance, rationalizing control strategies, building capacity, and raising awareness. Knowledge gaps on disease epidemiology, vector ecology and competence, and biological aspects of trypanotolerant livestock will be addressed. Environmentally friendly vector control technologies and more effective and adapted diagnostic tools will be developed. Surveillance will be enhanced by developing information systems, strengthening reporting, and mapping and modelling disease risk in Africa and beyond. The socio-economic burden of AT will be assessed at a range of geographical scales. Guidelines for the PCP and harmonized national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed. Gender equality and ethics will be pivotal in all project activities. The COMBAT project benefits from the expertise of African and European research institutions, national veterinary authorities, and international organizations. The project consortium comprises 21 participants, including a geographically balanced representation from 13 African countries, and it will engage a larger number of AT-affected countries through regional initiatives.

This is an open-access article published externally in Open Research Europe 2022, Last updated: 07 MAR 2023

Cite this content as:

Boulangé A, Lejon V, Berthier D et al. The COMBAT project: controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa [version 2; peer review: 3 approved]. Open Res Europe 2022, 2:67 (https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.14759.2)

Language English

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Tsetse transmitted AAT causes enormous mortality, which dramatically reduces animal production and limits utilization of infested arable land for crop and livestock production. The total loss due to T&T is difficult to measure but roughly estimated to be about 200 million USD per year, including the most visible direct losses (meat and milk) and the costs of drugs. Various control efforts have made and resulted considerable achievements in some areas where tsetse fly populations and trypanosomosis prevalence were high. However, the efforts were fragmented, focusing on temporary relief than sustainable solutions and hence, some areas were re-infested due to strategic, institutional, financial, and technical constraints. The implementation of the TCP has made a significant contribution in developing the national capacity through the development of the national T&T strategy and roadmap, enhancing national capacity in data management and implementation of Progressive Control Pathway (PCP)-smart Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) control activities.
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The new edition of the well-known field guide on African animal trypanosomiasis adheres as much as possible to the original style and, particularly, to the intention of the author of the first edition in that it is essentially meant to be a guide for field control personnel. Its scope has been extended somewaht beyond that of the African continent, as trypanosomes of African origin have spread to the Americas as well as to Asia, and even to Europe, but the main emphasis remains on Africa. More a ttention is also given to methods of control of the disease other thn those using chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis, as it is being realized that drugs alone are not a sustainable answer, and have to be integrated into a multidisciplinary and flexible approach to control the disease.