The Public Health Significance of Leishmaniasis: An Overview

Abstract

This seminar paper documents an overview on the current knowledge of Leishmania parasites of animals with emphasis on the public health significance and points to the wealth of information available for leishmaniasis, in contrast to the numerous gaps in our understanding of the public health significance and associated factors for the spread of the disease. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania transmitted by insects known as phlebotomines, which are found in wild or urban environments. It affects domestic and wild animals and transmission to man happens by accident. The disease occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas, mainly in Asia, Europe, Africa, and America There are three forms of leishmaniasis, visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL), and mucocutaneus (MCL). Of the three forms, VL is the most prevalent and severe in eastern Africa. In Ethiopia, the disease affects people living in a significant portion of the country. Leishmaniasis is difficult to control, causing epidemic outbreaks, thus being an important public health problem. Due to lesions caused by the mucocutaneous type and the severity of those caused by the visceral type in humans, leishmaniasis is one of the main public health concerns. Infection can cause symptoms that vary in severity and duration, depending on the health of the infected person and the particular strain of the parasite. The disease affects the rural poor community and usually outbreak occurs during harvesting seasons.

Keywords:Leishmania, leishmaniasis, Public health