Manual of procedures for leishmaniases surveillance and control in the Americas

Abstract

[Introduction]. Leishmaniases— zoonotic and vector-borne diseases —are a public health problem in the Americas. Their complex biological cycle includes different species of parasites, as well as reservoirs and vectors, that cause a set of clinical syndromes in infected humans that can compromise the skin, mucous membranes, and viscera. In the specific case of the Americas, there is a large number of leishmaniases cases, and they are broadly distributed. Furthermore, the principal risk factors, which result from local social, economic, and environmental processes, greatly increase the number of population members at risk of infection. Member countries of the World Health Assembly committed to strengthening leishmaniases surveillance and control actions through Resolution WHA60.13 in 2007. In the Americas, this commitment was signed and strengthened by PAHO Member States through the adoption of Resolutions CD49.R19 in 2009 and CD55.R9 in 2016. In 2010, the WHO worked with the Expert Committee on Leishmaniases to update the guidance for leishmaniases surveillance and control at the global level. This information was published in the WHO Technical Report Series (TRS) No 949: Control of the Leishmaniases. [...]