Vaccine diplomacy, or joint cooperation for vaccine development between nations, has the potential to develop therapeutics to treat NTDs. Additionally, relationships between the US and Latin American countries will provide scientific institutions and local governments with accurate data that relays the distribution of tropical diseases. Thus, key interventions can be developed and implemented in disproportionately affected regions. 


Vaccine Diplomacy

A significant amount of resources, from numerous scientific institutions across the Gulf Coast, have been directed towards studying Chagas Disease. Researchers are implementing interventions to disrupt maternal-to-child transmission and developing a therapeutic vaccine that can be used in conjunction with antiparasitic drugs. Research on CD was led by a consortium of institutions, including the Carlos Slim Health Institute, the National School of Tropical Medicine and the Sabin Vaccine Institute. 

Studying Chagas Disease

Under the leadership of Dr. Hotez & Dr. Bottazzi, the center promotes the development of vaccines and therapeutics for NTDs while encouraging vaccine diplomacy between nations. 
- Under the Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative (HHVI), a vaccine for human hookworm infections is entering phase 2 clinical trials. 
- Vaccine for intestinal schistosomiasis is entering phase 2 clinical trials
- First therapeutic vaccine for Chagas Disease is in phase 1 clinical trials
- Designing vaccines for emerging coronaviruses. 

Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development 

Research and development to produce new or improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines are needed. Two schools of tropical medicine, the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and the Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, have collaborated with the "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" Regional Research Center of the Autonomous University of Yucatan. 

Tulane University

- International Cooperation
- Vector Control
- Research & Development 
- Tropical Medicine in the Gulf of Mexico Initiative (Trop-G)

Public Health Measures for Improvement

Hotez, P. J., Bottazzi, M. E., Dumonteil, E., &amp; Buekens, P. (2015). The Gulf of Mexico: A “Hot Zone” for Neglected Tropical Diseases? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(2). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003481

The Gulf of Mexico: A "Hot Zone" for Tropical Diseases?

International support and partnerships between the governments of the United States and Mexico, including the public sector and private scientific institutions, will greatly benefit the impacted region. This cooperation should include active disease surveillance to compare rural and urban distribution of NTDs and foster collaborative research about the modes of transmission of specific diseases. Additionally, these governments can aid marginalized, primarily indigenous, populations that are disproportionately affected by NTDs. 

International Cooperation

Vector control efforts for Aedes mosquitoes, that transmit dengue and chikungunya, and Culex mosquitoes, vectors for the West Nile virus, are key interventions. These public health measures may reduce triatomine vectors and prevent the spread of Chagas Disease in Yucatan and other affected regions in southeastern Mexico. Deworming and intestinal parasite control measures are still needed in preschool and school-aged children in Mexico. 

Vector Control

Research & Development

An academic consortium may be effective at promoting primary health systems within the Gulf Coast region. The extensive list of NTDs, and other tropical diseases, do not recognize borders; therefore, an international partnership is essential to develop public health interventions that combat these pathogens. The authors of this paper have launched this global health consortium, called Trop-G, to advance disease control and elimination efforts. 


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