Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases

Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases We are a collaborative research centre for tropical health.

Our goal is to unite and empower researchers across the Asia Pacific region to foster strategic partnerships that improve the health and wellbeing of communities living in the tropics.

Publication alert for Schistosomiasis!Our members have compared 3 different techniques to detect Schistosoma mansoni in ...
19/06/2026

Publication alert for Schistosomiasis!

Our members have compared 3 different techniques to detect Schistosoma mansoni in stool samples in Uganda.

Their reasoning?

"The World Health Organization’s latest roadmap for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 2021–2030 has highlighted diagnostics as one of four focus areas to achieve the targets set for 2030.

Molecular diagnostic tests, such as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), are valuable for diagnosing NTDs, including schistosomiasis.

This study aimed to comparatively evaluate two Sm1-7-qPCR systems incorporating different DNA extraction approaches for the detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection."

The newer approach identified more infections than both traditional microscopy and a standard DNA extraction method, while also being cheaper and more practical for field settings.

As countries work toward the World Health Organization's 2030 neglected tropical disease targets, accessible and sensitive diagnostics will play a critical role in disease surveillance and elimination.

14/06/2026

Scientists might just have taught mosquitoes to like insect repellent!

Our member Adjunct Assoc Professor Leon Hugo was featured in "The Conversation" where he broke down how mosquitoes learned to link the smell of insect repellent (DEET) to a blood meal.

Scientists found that mosquitoes exposed to DEET while feeding could later associate its smell with a blood meal. The finding adds another piece to the puzzle of how repellents work and highlights the learning abilities of mosquitoes.

But don't worry!

This study was performed under rigid laboratory conditions and the mosquitoes went through a training program before learning to associate DEET with a meal (anyone else visualizing mosquitoes training like the Navy SEALs?).
So, mosquitoes in the wild probably do not have this skill under their belts.

Therefore, DEET remains highly effective and continues to be one of our best tools for preventing mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases.

Research like this helps us better understand mosquito behaviour and improve insect repellent for future control strategies.

To read the article authored by Leon, search for the title "Mosquitoes learn to link the smell of DEET with a blood meal – new study" on The Conversation.

And, to learn more about all things tropical health and emerging diseases, follow us!

Skin diseases and laundry - what's the connection?This interesting article "synthesises evidence for fabric contaminatio...
12/06/2026

Skin diseases and laundry - what's the connection?

This interesting article "synthesises evidence for fabric contamination and effective laundering methods specific to priority skin pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, dermatophytes, molluscum contagiosum virus) and ectoparasites (scabies, bed bugs, head lice, and body lice).

Evidence for fabric contamination and effective laundering methods was strong for S. aureus, dermatophytes, and bed bugs.

There was scant evidence for the contamination of fabrics with head lice, body lice, scabies, S. pyogenes and molluscum contagiosum virus, so laundering may only be important for severe cases of infection/infestation.

Across all organisms, temperature was the most important laundering variable. Washing and/or machine drying at ≥60 °C for at least 15 min is broadly recommended.

Low-temperature protocols and alternative methods require research attention. This review informs the development of practical laundering guidelines and policy, which are needed to support clinics and communities managing a high burden of skin conditions."

DOI: 10.1016/j.heha.2026.100175

Publication update time!Our members from The University of Queensland and Mahidol University published a scoping review ...
11/06/2026

Publication update time!

Our members from The University of Queensland and Mahidol University published a scoping review on methods for estimating the burden of acute tropical infectious diseases!

"We conducted this study because many short-term infectious diseases, especially those neglected tropical diseases affecting people in tropical and low-income areas, are often overlooked in public health planning.

These diseases can spread quickly and cause serious illness or even death, but reliable data on how many people are affected is often missing. Our goal was to understand how scientists estimate the burden of these diseases, especially when information is limited.

We found that diseases like malaria and dengue are more commonly studied, while other diseases receive much less attention.

Newer methods, such as machine learning and mapping tools, offer powerful ways to improve burden estimates. However, challenges like missing data and inconsistent reporting remain.

By summarizing what has been done so far, our work provides a roadmap for future studies to better estimate the impact of these diseases and help governments and health organizations make more informed decisions."

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013359

Want to know about leptospirosis surveillance?Then head to our YouTube channel to this listen to Dr Beatris Mario Martin...
10/06/2026

Want to know about leptospirosis surveillance?

Then head to our YouTube channel to this listen to Dr Beatris Mario Martin from The University of Queensland about serological surveillance in the Pacific Islands!

Following Prof Lau's seminar, Dr Martin explains about the modelling of leptospirosis in the Caribbean region.

With a strong clinical background specialising in infectious diseases, Dr Martin took a bold step beyond patient care (and her home country of Brazil) to pursue a PhD at UQ. Her research focuses on understanding the spread patterns of leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic, a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to life-threatening complications.

She uses spatial epidemiological models to understand the distribution of the disease and to better understand these changes in the transmission patterns.

Follow our YT channel if you want to stay updated on all things tropical health and emerging diseases - the quickest way to learn from the best experts in the world!

Interested in disease surveillance?Then head to our YouTube channel to this listen to Prof Colleen Lau from The Universi...
09/06/2026

Interested in disease surveillance?

Then head to our YouTube channel to this listen to Prof Colleen Lau from The University of Queensland about serological surveillance in the Pacific Islands!

Integrated serological surveillance is implementation of population-based surveys to collect and analyse samples for simultaneous estimation of seroprevalence of multiple pathogens. This approach is being increasingly used as a cost-effective method to generate epidemiological data on multiple diseases, including population immunity, disease burden, and progress towards disease elimination targets.

This presentation will discuss the use of multiplex bead immunoassays for serological surveillance of infectious diseases in the Pacific Islands, and proposals for scale-up in the region.

Follow our YT channel if you want to stay updated on all things tropical health and emerging diseases - the quickest way to learn from the best experts in the world!

One Health might be moving from concept to implementation!
03/06/2026

One Health might be moving from concept to implementation!

Q: Are humans just making it easier for diseases to go global?A: In many ways, yes. But not intentionally.Modern travel,...
02/06/2026

Q: Are humans just making it easier for diseases to go global?

A: In many ways, yes. But not intentionally.

Modern travel, trade, and environmental change have significantly increased the speed and scale at which infectious diseases can spread. A pathogen that once might have been geographically contained can now move across countries (and continents) in a matter of hours.

But this isn’t just about planes and passports. Changes in land use, climate patterns, and human–animal interaction are also reshaping how and where diseases emerge in the first place.

This is exactly where One Health approaches are essential; bringing together human, animal, and environmental health to better understand, detect, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats.

At the Centre for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases, this integrated perspective underpins research aimed at improving surveillance, strengthening preparedness, and reducing the risk of future outbreaks.

Because in a connected world, health risks don’t stay in one place — and neither should the science that helps manage them.

Outbreaks rarely happen because of a single event.They emerge when environmental, biological and social conditions align...
28/05/2026

Outbreaks rarely happen because of a single event.

They emerge when environmental, biological and social conditions align, which creates opportunities for diseases to spread.

Understanding why outbreaks happen helps researchers move beyond response and toward prevention.

From environmental change and population movement to surveillance and preparedness, many factors shape how diseases emerge and impact communities.

At CTHED, our research helps improve our understanding of these complex systems to support healthier and more resilient futures for communities around the world.

Prevention starts long before an outbreak begins.

Emerging diseases don’t appear in isolation.Human health is shaped by the environments we live in, the animals we intera...
26/05/2026

Emerging diseases don’t appear in isolation.

Human health is shaped by the environments we live in, the animals we interact with, changing climates, population movement and the systems that protect us.

Understanding how and why diseases emerge helps researchers and communities move from responding to outbreaks to preventing them.

At CTHED, our work spans disciplines to better understand the connections between people, animals and the environment — helping strengthen surveillance, preparedness and long-term health outcomes.

Research today supports healthier communities tomorrow.

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