Epidemiological surveillance of leishmaniasis in the European Union: operational and research challenges

Leishmaniasis is complex of vector-borne diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sandflies. A dozen nosogeographical entities -characterised by different parasite, vector and reservoir host species, geographical distribution and clinical features in humans -affect 101 countries in tropical, subtropical and temperate zones of the world More than 90% of 200,000-400,000 global cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most severe form, are estimated to occur annually in India, Bangladesh, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Brazil. A less severe form, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), is more widely distributed, accounting for 0.7-1.2 million cases each year in countries of Latin America, Mediterranean basin, Middle East and Central Asia.