THE BRAZILIAN LEISHMANIASIS CONTROL PROGRAM

The control methods used in Brazil for both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis by the Ministry of Health's National Health Foundation (Fundacao Nacional de Saude) are presented Data referring to the programme between 1980 and 1991 is presented There was an increase in the total number of notified cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis until 1987 and from this date onwards the number has remained between 23,000 and 26,000 per year. There were significantly fewer cases of visceral leishmaniasis during the same period and until 1991 the greatest number of cases reported in one year was 2,511 in 1985. The overall picture is that it is difficult to evaluate to what extent the control methods employed have reduced the number of cases of either form of the disease. It is suggested that there is an urgent need for a closer approximation of research and health workers to review the actual control strategies and to define procedures capable of assessing accurately their impact.