New project to fight 'devastating' disease begins

Schistosoma (pictured) has affected millions of people in Africa

A new global effort to tackle a devastating tropical disease affecting some 240 million people has been co-launched by the University of Surrey.

The project is looking to combat schistosomiasis, a major public health issue caused by parasitic worms that particularly impacts sub-Saharan Africa.

The disease persists in many communities, despite decades of mass medicine use, according to the University of Surrey.

Researchers say the project aims to uncover why current treatments are failing, offer recommendations to improve disease control, and move closer to elimination.

Dr Joaquin M. Prada, co-lead of the project and senior lecturer in epidemiology at the University of Surrey, said she was "delighted" by the research.

"We have an amazing international team," she continued.

The project team includes experts from Cameroon, Côte D'Ivoire, Malawi and the UK, the University of Surrey said.

Prof Poppy Lamberton, study lead from the University of Glasgow, says the project's findings will be shared with other affected countries and colleagues at the World Health Organisation.

The project has received £8.1 million of funding from the Wellcome Trust.