The Taenia solium control programme is relatively new, and many countries wanting to start control activities are requesting guidance and support. To assist in these endeavours, we have developed a toolbox that contains basic information on key topics to guide you through all the resources that the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have made available for the control and management of T. solium.
What is OpenWHO.org? OpenWHO is a free open-access platform that provides online courses from WHO that can be followed at your own pace. The learning resources are presented in low-bandwidth adjusted formats. At the end of the course, there is an optional course quiz; if you achieve more than 80%, you will obtain a Certificate of Achievement.
How can I access the toolbox? To access the toolbox, go through the OpenWHO NTD channel: https://openwho.org/channels/ntd or directly through this link: https://openwho.org/courses/taenia-solium-control-and-management
The purpose of this toolbox is to provide a “one-stop shop” with all the relevant and up-to-date technical information. We expect to be updating the modules as new information becomes available.
The target audience are the T. solium focal points and programme managers, as well as any person interested in the control of the parasite.
How can I look for specific information in the toolbox? The course has six modules. You do not need to follow them in order, but it is recommended that you do so for the first time to familiarize yourself with all the material. Once you are familiar, you can access the modules of interest whenever you need.
Which topics are covered in the toolbox?
Introductory module. This module explains how to use the course.
Module 1: Introduction to T. solium
- T. solium transmission cycle and key risk factors for transmission
- Basic prevention and control measures
- Taeniasis, human cysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis: the diseases and their impact
- Global and regional T. solium endemicity
Module 2: Identification of T. solium endemic areas
- T. solium mapping protocol and mapping steps
- Risk classification tool
- Additional resources: questions to guide focus group discussions and key stakeholder surveys for the identification of endemic areas
Module 3: Preventive chemotherapy for taeniasis
- Preventive chemotherapy for taeniasis
- Safety in administering medicines for neglected tropical diseases and special considerations in T. solium endemic areas
- Planning preventive chemotherapy: drug donation, annual work plan and microplanning
- Monitoring preventive chemotherapy coverage
Module 4: Monitoring and evaluation framework for T. solium
- Diagnostic tests available for use in T. solium public health programmes
- Thresholds to trigger public health interventions
- Monitoring and evaluation framework including survey design
- Global and national indicators
Module 5: Case management of neurocysticercosis
- How people acquire neurocysticercosis
- WHO guidelines on management of T. solium neurocysticercosis
- Considerations for the use of anthelminthic therapy for the treatment of neurocysticercosis
- WHO resources on management and treatment of epilepsy
Module 6: Prevention and control of T. solium through One Health
- One Health
- Interventions in pigs for the control of T. solium: vaccination, treatment and pig-rearing practices
- Combined interventions
- Food safety and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) measures to prevent and control T. solium transmission
- Additional One Health resources