Abstract
In this chapter we discuss the burden of disease associated with the leishmaniases, review the current evidence on control strategies, and give an overview of regional control approaches.
There are a limited number of key control strategies to combat leishmaniasis. Early diagnosis and case management is the main one, as it reduces human suffering from disability and avoidable death, while curtailing transmission in the anthroponotic form of this disease. Sand fly control measures can also reduce transmission, especially when it is peridomestic or well targeted to vector exposure. Methods for sand fly control include insecticide spraying, insecticide-treated materials, environmental management, and personal protection. Control of reservoir hosts is possible in case of zoonotic disease. There is no vaccine as yet against human leishmaniasis. Commercialized vaccines against canine leishmaniasis exist, however, there is no evidence yet regarding their effectiveness or impact on transmission to humans.
