From August 12th to August 21th, 2023, by the invitation of Prof. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (the head of The Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines), Prof. Wanzhong Jia, together with Prof. Guofeng Cheng and his Master degree candidate, Miss Yameng Zheng from Medical College, Tongji University and The 10th People’s Hospital, Shanghai City, went to The Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines to implement international exchange plan of National Key Research and Development Program "Developing of techniques for detecting parasitic helminth infections and for alerting transmission as well as evaluation of their safety risk” (2021YFE0191600) and carry out research on detection and training.

  During the visit, both sides from China and the Philippines reported on scientific research progress, planned potential international cooperation projects application, exchanged experience in detection of helminth parasites in stool, snail, fish or environmental samples, as well as specific antibodies in sera samples. They visited one of the most epidemic regions of in schistosomiasis, Leyte, in the Philippines, where they interviewed officials and staff from department of government, health and agriculture. Then they arranged coming weeks’ plan for collection and handover of samples related to helminth infections. Also, the Philippine scientists were planning to return visit to China during late September and early October.

     Through the visit, both sides further understood their research fields and expertise respectively, condensed the important content of future cooperation, and learned the experience of development of detection methods and diagnostic kits in parasitic pathogens in different samples. Both agreed that strengthening academic exchanges, resource sharing, and using their respective platforms and technological advantages will promote the scientific research progress in epidemiological investigations, development and application of immunological and molecular methods in schistosomiasis, anisakiasis, cysticercosis and other zoonotic helminth infections.