Optimising passive surveillance of a neglected tropical disease in the era of elimination: A modelling study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Surveillance is an essential component of global programs to eliminate infectious diseases and avert epidemics of (re-)emerging diseases. As the numbers of cases decline, costs of treatment and control diminish but those for surveillance remain high even after the 'last' case. Reducing surveillance may risk missing persistent or (re-)emerging foci of disease. Here, we use a simulation-based approach to determine the minimal number of passive surveillance sites required to ensure maximum coverage of a population at-risk (PAR) of an infectious disease.

Methodology and principal findings

For this study, we use Gambian human African trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) in north-western Uganda, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which has been reduced to historically low levels (<1

SUBMITTER: Longbottom J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7954327 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature