From basic parasitology to applied public health: challenges for the control of helminthiasis in Cameroon

Discussion

Within the past decade, significant progress has been made on the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Today, the ‘preventive chemotherapy’ is the primary strategy for the control of 4 helminthiasis from the 20 diseases that are listed by the World Health Organization as the group of NTDs, i.e. schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The control and elimination of these helminthiasis involve several challenges. Some of these challenges are addressed through basic and operational research. The presentation will highlight and discuss some of the key basic parasitological research and applied public health that foster the control of helminthiasis in Cameroon, as well as the challenges faced in a changing environment.