Brown with white young adult African rat Mastomys Natalensis, standing side ways. Looking straight ahead. Isolated on white background.

©Stock | Nynke

Publication

Silent co-inhabitant Lassa virus

In West Africa, so-called multi-teat mice (Mastomys natalensis) repeatedly transmit Lassa viruses to humans, sometimes causing severe seasonal epidemics. The pathogen, on the other hand, does little or no harm to the host animal. How does the virus persist in the rodent population? What role do sex and age play? And what does this mean for rodent control? A research team at the BNITM has found new answers.

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©Memento Bündnis

Award

Memento Prize for research on loiasis

Prof. Michael Ramharter has been awarded the Memento Prize for Neglected Diseases for his research on the worm disease loiasis. The Loa loa parasite can remain in the body for years, causing numerous chronic symptoms. These are associated with a significant disease burden, inability to work and disability. Loiasis is widespread in Central Africa and has been underestimated for decades.

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©ECTMIH2025

Event

Science Congress

In October 2025, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) will celebrate its 125th anniversary. And how do researchers celebrate? With a scientific conference! After thirty years, the ‘European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health’ (ECTMIH) is returning to Hamburg. The organisers are expecting more than 1,000 participants at the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH). Take part and send in your session proposals!

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Bar chart with four double graphics: Deaths attributable to AMR by age group and location in the reference scenario, 2022–2050. Units are in millions.

Publication

Rising antibiotic resistance

The annual global deaths caused by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have nearly doubled since 1990, and without effective countermeasures, they could almost double again by 2050. This alarming trend is highlighted in the first comprehensive international study conducted by the 'Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators', recently published in 'The Lancet'.

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The photo shows the course room with course participants from behind. The green board can be seen in front, a lecturer is standing in front of it.

©BNITM | Julia Rauner

Training

Diploma Course in Tropical Medicine 2025

Our classic in English for the first time: How do I recognise the common travel skin disease leishmaniasis? What do parasites, protozoa and worms look like under the microscope? Our lecturers cover this and much more in the diploma course in tropical medicine. It prepares doctors for working in the tropics and is accredited by ASTMH and the German Medical Association, among others. Participants also acquire knowledge in travel medicine.

Info and registration