2nd Spanish-German Symposium on Tropical Dermatology · ISDT

Programme

Wednesday, 4 November

14:00 – 18:30: Check-in
19:00 – 21:00: Dinner

Thursday, 5 November

08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
09:00 – 12:00: Leprosy: Session I (with translation) History of Fontilles; introduction, epidemiology, transmission
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
13:30 – 16:00: Leprosy: Session II (with translation) Classification and clinical manifestations; neurological aspects
16:00 – 16:30: Coffee break
16:30 – 18:30: Leprosy: Session II Diagnostics; laboratory
19:00 – 21:00: Dinner

Friday, 6 November

08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
09:00 – 12:00: DerMalawi project Lectures on skin-related neglected tropical diseases
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
13:30 – 18:00: Free time / group activity to be confirmed
19:00 – 21:00: Dinner

Saturday, 7 November

08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
09:00 – 12:00: Leprosy: Session III (with translation) Leprosy reactions; treatment of leprosy and leprosy reactions; cutaneous leishmaniasis
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
13:30 – 16:00: Experiences from field work (with translation) Buruli ulcer (with translation)
16:00 – 16:30: Coffee break
16:30 – 18:30: Interview with former leprosy patients (with translation) Closing remarks
19:00 – 21:00: Dinner

Sunday, 8 November

08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
09:00 – 13:00: Check-out

About the symposium

“Exploring the History of Leprosy in Fontilles: Legacy and Lessons” — the second Spanish-German symposium of the ISDT, in cooperation with the Fundación Fontilles, the national reference centre for leprosy in Vall de Laguar (Alicante). The focus is on the history of leprosy in Fontilles, together with an in-depth insight into leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases — embedded in the historic sanatorium ensemble in the valley of La Vall de Laguar.

Key facts

Date: 5–7 November 2026 (check-in from 4 November, check-out 8 November)
Venue: Poblado Fontilles 1, 03791 Fontilles, Alicante, Spain
Participation fee: €300 per person (single or double room with private bathroom)
Included: access to all sessions with translation (English/German), accommodation for four days, coffee breaks and meals. Not included are travel to and from the venue and the leisure group activity. There is no industry exhibition.

About Fontilles

Since 1909, Fontilles has been home to thousands of people, most of them suffering from leprosy. A wall once separated it from the rest of the world, enclosing the health complex into a self-sufficient town with a life of its own. Fontilles preserves a rich heritage — a material, documentary and human one as well as a scenic and architectural one. Today Fontilles is a non-profit foundation working worldwide against leprosy and its consequences — with cooperation projects in, among other places, India, Mozambique, Malawi, Brazil and Bolivia, aiming at early detection, treatment, prevention of disabilities and the strengthening of health systems.

Scientific leadership & coordination

Germany (ISDT):

Fontilles, Spain (Fundación Fontilles):

Dr. José Ramón Gómez Echevarría (Medical Director for Leprosy)
Marisa Moll (Administrative coordination)

Getting there

By public transport, Fontilles can be reached via Ondara (from Valencia or Alicante by bus, alsa.es; from Valencia alternatively by train to Gandia, renfe.es, and onwards by bus). From Ondara it is around 18 km to Fontilles, covered by taxi (approx. €25). Alternatively, a rental car from the airport is a good option.