Controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of animal trypanosomosis, a Horizon 2020 project

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, and while already present in Latin America and Asia, it holds the potential for further spread. 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 four-year 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, and contributes to, the progressive control pathway (PCP), a risk-based, step-wise approach to disease reduction or elimination.

Pillars of the COMBAT project © Boulangé et al. Open Research Europe 2, 67 (2022)

Guidelines for the PCP and harmonized national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed.

The means used by COMBAT to tackle the disease are developed in a 4 thematic pillars approach.

Gender equality and ethics will be pivotal in all project activities. 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.