Cholera control in endemic regions of Africa: monitoring of diseases burden following mass vaccination campaigns
Year of award: 2019
Grantholders
Dr Francisco Luquero
Epicentre
Project summary
The World Health Organization cholera roadmap recommends multi-sectorial approaches to control cholera in endemic areas (hotspots), including the use of oral cholera vaccines (OCV). A key theory behind the strategy is that OCV can achieve control in a hotspot while the mid- to long-term water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures are implemented. However, the evidence to support this theory is weak as a result of the small campaigns conducted in endemic areas.
This project aims to fill this essential knowledge gap and assess whether large vaccination campaigns reaching high coverage in cholera hotspots in Africa allow sustained control of cholera for at least two years. The evidence generated from this project will be key to developing future strategies regarding the use of cholera vaccine in endemic settings, including places with a higher burden of mortality due to the disease.