Who we are

Strongyloides Australia is a group of multidisciplinary experts including parasitologists, veterinary and molecular scientists, pathologists, environmental health officers, medical practitioners, health promotion and prevention professionals, and other interested parties. The aims of our group are to:

• raise awareness of strongyloidiasis;

• inform health professionals and community members about the disease and its prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control;

• advocate on behalf of affected people for appropriate changes to government policy in relation to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, based upon current research.

The first National Workshop on Strongyloidiasis was held in Nhulunbuy in 2001. A community elder asked “We’ve had Strongyloides for so long, why hasn’t something been done?” In response to this, the National Strongyloides Working Group (NSWG) was formed as a special interest group of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine. Our first chairperson, Emeritus Professor Rick Speare from James Cook University, was an internationally recognised expert on strongyloidiasis. We now have a broad membership, and are aligned with StrongNet, an international network to improve diagnostics and access to treatment for strongyloidiasis control.