# Adapting lessons from the Indian subcontinent to accelerate elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem in East Africa

## TL;DR

The paper suggests how India's success in reducing a deadly disease could help East Africa, where the disease is still widespread.

## Contribution

The paper adapts Southeast Asia's strategies for eliminating visceral leishmaniasis to address unique challenges in East Africa.

## Key findings

- India's success relied on surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, vector control, and coordination.
- East Africa faces challenges like multiple vectors, diagnostic issues, and population mobility.
- Adapting South Asian strategies could help East Africa achieve disease elimination.

## Abstract

This viewpoint draws lessons from the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) as a public health problem in the Southeast Asia region (SEAR) to inform efforts in East Africa (EA), now the global epicenter of Leishmania donovani transmission. VL is fatal and there is no licensed vaccine. Success in India relied on robust surveillance, rapid diagnosis, single-dose treatment, vector control, and multi-partner coordination. EA faces additional challenges than SEAR with multiple sand fly vectors, sensitive diagnostics and longer treatment regimens, high population mobility, and gaps in ecological and epidemiological knowledge. We highlight how strategies from South Asia could be adapted while acknowledging EA’s unique ecological and health system complexities. These insights aim to guide sustainable VL control towards elimination of VL as a public health concern in the region.