Eliminating visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem in the South‐East Asia Region

VL, or kala-azar, is targeted for elimination as a public health problem (defined as an annual incidence of less than one case per 10 000 population at the district level in Nepal and at subdistrict level in Bangladesh and India) in the WHO South‐East Asia Region. In 2005, three endemic countries in the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India and Nepal) signed a memorandum of understanding to eliminate kala-azar from the region. In 2014, this agreement was extended to include two more countries (Bhutan and Thailand).

 

> 2 million

patients treated for cutaneous leishmaniasis (2009-2018)

> 300 000

lives saved from visceral leishmaniasis (2009-2018)

> 15 000

people trained in case management

Publications

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Thumbnail of Leishmaniasis: Epidemiological report on the Region of the Americas, N14 December 2025
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) continues to promote and intensify efforts to improve care and promote leishmaniasis...
Leishmaniasis: 20 years of progress towards elimination in the WHO African Region

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that predominantly affects impoverished populations. It remains a significant health issue in four eco-epidemiological...

Global leishmaniasis surveillance updates 2024: consolidating gains and new initiatives

Leishmaniasis remains a major health problem in 4 eco-epidemiological areas of the world: the Americas, East Africa, North Africa and West and South-East...

Contact

Dr. José Ruiz Postigo
Medical officer
Dr. Saurabh Jain
Scientist