The Next Steps for Podoconiosis

“Elimination of podoconiosis is achievable within one generation,” claim Kebede Deribe and colleagues. To do so, progress in research must continue and be met with robust implementation.

4 countries have rolled out podoconiosis control and elimination programs, and several are improving surveillance of the disease. But before the first international conference on podoconiosis conference next month, several factors stand in the way of beating the disease, a form of tropical lymphoedema caused by exposure to volcanic soils. Among the least financed NTDs, podoconiosis has no global control and elimination strategy. And progress is hampered by a lack of innovation, such as practical protective footwear.

The Lancet (Commentary)