Symposium for African Livestock Trypanosomes (SALT-Tz)

Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a major constraint on livestock health in sub-Saharan Africa. With no vaccine, trypanocidal drugs are the mainstay of control. Recently there have been step change advances towards more effective AAT control, through research on treatment failure, drug resistance and quality of trypanocidal drugs, development of new trypanocides and modelling new control scenarios. There have also been advances that facilitate studying the disease-relevant parasites, and findings that show significant promise for improving the spectrum of tools to diagnose, treat or prevent AAT – including vaccine candidates that have revived interest in trypanosome vaccinology research. However, there is often a gulf between research and the uptake of innovations in the field, where progress has stagnated. There is an urgent need, and a timely opportunity, to better link stakeholders and decision-makers in AAT control with recent research progress. There are also substantial opportunities in linking researchers to accelerate research momentum on AAT. The SALT-Tz meeting will focus on AAT control, bringing researchers active in AAT research together with relevant stakeholders from AAT-affected countries, pharmaceutical companies and funders, to stimulate discussions and collaborations, and to work towards identifying how to optimally deploy new innovations.

SALT-Tz will be held in Arusha, Tanzania, on 14th-16th February 2023. The meeting is organized by Harriet Auty and Mike Barrett (University of Glasgow), Liam Morrison, Pieter Steketee (Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh) and Furaha Mramba (Hester Biosciences Africa Limited), with support from Giuliano Cecchi (FAO/Programme Against African Trypanosomosis). Key meeting partners include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed). The meeting is funded through contributions from the University of Glasgow, the Roslin Institute (BBSRC), the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN), the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics & Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The meeting will be held at the Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha and will be conducted in English, and participation will be by invitation.