We are Philip, Romy and Bootsy, three MSc. students at the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at the Delft University of Technology. In collaboration with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Nairobi, we are developing a solution for the prevention of leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease which annually infects 700,000 to 1 million new cases and some 26,000 to 65,000 deaths occur annually (WHO, 2019). The disease is caused by parasites which are transmitted by the bite of infected sandflies (the vector). The disease affects the poorest people on earth, and is associated with malnutrition, population displacement, poor housing, a weak immune system and lack of financial resources. Leishmaniasis is endemic in East Africa and outbreaks occur frequently.
Our goal is to protect the vulnerable nomadic tribes of Kenya from leishmaniasis. We will accomplish this by developing a trap, which will attract and kill the sandflies, decreasing the chance of infection. Next week we will travel to Kenya for a four-week research study where we will be testing our prototypes both under lab conditions and in the field. Keep an eye on this page to stay up to date on our project!
