- Platform
- FutureLearn
- Provider
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Effort
- 4 hours/week
- Length
- 4 weeks
- Language
- English
- Credentials
- Paid Certificate Available
- Course Link
Overview
Control and combat visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar)
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) - also known as kala-azar - is endemic in parts of South Asia, East Africa, Southern Europe and South America. It is fatal if untreated, but the tools do exist to control and even eliminate VL transmission in some of these areas.
This online course will you give you an understanding of the biology and epidemiology of VL, then explain practical control and elimination tools that you can use to combat it.
You’ll look at real-world examples of current VL control and elimination programmes, and find out how to implement and evaluate a programme in your own setting.
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who are working in the field on visceral leishmaniasis control. It will also be useful for those with an interest in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and vector control.
Taught by
Vanessa Yardley
Control and combat visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar)
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) - also known as kala-azar - is endemic in parts of South Asia, East Africa, Southern Europe and South America. It is fatal if untreated, but the tools do exist to control and even eliminate VL transmission in some of these areas.
This online course will you give you an understanding of the biology and epidemiology of VL, then explain practical control and elimination tools that you can use to combat it.
You’ll look at real-world examples of current VL control and elimination programmes, and find out how to implement and evaluate a programme in your own setting.
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who are working in the field on visceral leishmaniasis control. It will also be useful for those with an interest in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and vector control.
What topics will you cover?
Week 1 - Introduction to VL
Week 1 - Introduction to VL
- Introduction to the biology, vectors and epidemiology of VL
- Importance of controlling VL
- Clinical symptoms and different VL diagnostic tools
- Treatment regimens and anti-leishmanial drugs
- Sand fly biology and behaviour
- Vector-parasite interaction
- Vector control tools
- Emerging challenges in vector control
- Surveillance
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Outbreaks and outbreak management
- Health system strengthening
- Community education
- Elimination & sustainability of control
Taught by
Vanessa Yardley