WHO publishes two landmark documents on leishmaniasis
Departmental news - Geneva - Leishmania parasites are transmitted through the bites of infected female phlebotomine sand flies, which feed on human blood to produce eggs. An estimated 31 species of Phlebotomus and 47 species of Lutzomyia sand fly species are considered the proven vectors of human leishmaniases (visceral and cutaneous).
In its global efforts to control the impact of leishmaniases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published for the first time two key guidance documents for programmes and researchers: a report of a multi-centre laboratory study and WHO expert consultations on determining discriminating concentrations of insecticides for monitoring resistance in sand flies, and an operational manual on leishmaniasis vector control, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.