The Challenge of Developing a Treatment for Jigger Disease, "Jigger Lotion" using Saraya's skincare technology.
ISSUE背景と課題
Trombidiasis, commonly known as Tunga penetrans, Jigger, Sand Flea, or Chigoe, is a parasitic skin disease caused by the penetration of the dermis by female fleas. The WHO also considers it to be included in "other parasitic diseases" under "neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The penetration of the flea into humans is painless, but 1-3 days later, the skin become itchy, red, or painful. The eggs grow to more than 5 mm in size as they suck blood for nourishment at the site of entry, and the pain in the affected area worsens, leading to severe itching, difficulty walking, and difficulty sleeping. In the tropics, this area often becomes a site of entry for bacterial infections, sometimes resulting in extensive secondary infections such as cellulitis, gangrene, and tetanus.
The species originated in the Americas and the West Indies, but has now spread not only to Latin America, but also to Africa and India, where according to the WHO it is already confirmed in 88 countries and has spread to 50% of the BOP in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. It is estimated that 20 million people in Latin America are under risk and 2 million in Kenya are affected. Kenya has therefore embarked on measures such as the establishment of National Jigger Day in 2015 and the creation of prevention and treatment guidelines.
INNOVATION課題解決
In Kenya, prevention support activities by the NPO J Results Japan and the Kenya Research Center of Nagasaki University are already underway to identify the actual situation, raise awareness of prevention, and train human resources and volunteers for treatment.
On the other hand since the treatment method recommended by the guidelines has a cure rate of only about 40%, Saraya is therefore developing "Jigger Lotion," which combines more effective anthelmintic ingredients with its existing skincare technologies. The product has already been approved as a medical device by the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and samples have been provided to the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health. At the same time, preparations are underway for local manufacturing at Saraya's factory in Uganda.
FUTURE未来
Saraya will further strengthen its partnerships with local health ministries, international organizations, academia, international NPOs, and other stakeholders, aiming to begin mass production of the Jigger lotion in Uganda by the end of 2024, followed by its spread to at least all endemic areas in Africa within three years.
MESSAGE担当者の声
According to the Ahadi Kenya Trust, a Kenyan NGO that has been fighting tungiasis since 2007, of the 6.8 million patients registered so far, only 200,000 have been completely cured and reintegrated into society. This is largely due to social prejudice caused by economic poverty due to difficulties in attending school and finding employment. For this reason, at the Kenya Jigger Day event organized by the Ministry of Health on March 3, 2023, more than 300 patients, including children attending the school where the event was held, were asked to ensure that infected students receive treatment through local public health officials, rather than being excluded from school. In addition to this, a more effective treatment that could cure the disease before symptoms worsen would break the negative cycle, including prejudice, but as with other neglected tropical diseases, only a limited number of companies are working to do so. Therefore, Saraya, as a company with a local presence and a deep and long commitment to the cause, is working to combat Tungiasis disease in the spirit of "If no one else will do it, we will do it."