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. 2014 Oct;48(5):851-6.
doi: 10.1590/s0034-8910.2014048005615.

Visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: rationale and concerns related to reservoir control

Guilherme Loureiro Werneck

Visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: rationale and concerns related to reservoir control

Guilherme Loureiro Werneck. Rev Saude Publica. 2014 Oct.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

The control of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is a challenge, particularly in Brazil, where the disease has been gradually spreading across the country over the past 30 years. Strategies employed for decreasing the transmission risk are based on the control of vector populations and reservoirs; since humans are considered unnecessary for the maintenance of transmission. Among the adopted strategies in Brazil, the sacrifice of infected dogs is commonly performed and has been the most controversial measure. In the present study, we provide the rationale for the implementation of different control strategies targeted at reservoir populations and highlight the limitations and concerns associated with each of these strategies.

O controle da leishmaniose visceral zoonótica representa grande desafio, particularmente no Brasil, onde um paulatino processo de expansão geográfica da doença vem sendo verificado há mais de 30 anos. Nesse contexto, humanos não são considerados relevantes para manutenção da transmissão. Assim, as estratégias usualmente utilizadas com vistas à redução do risco de transmissão se baseiam no controle das populações de vetores e reservatórios. Dentre essas estratégias, a eliminação de cães infectados, correntemente utilizada no Brasil, tem sido das mais questionadas. Neste comentário, apresentam-se os fundamentos que justificam diferentes estratégias de controle orientadas para a população de reservatórios, assim como os limites e preocupações associadas a cada abordagem.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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