Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is found in tropical and subtropical areas. It is a systemic disease that primarily affects vulnerable age groups such as children under age 5 and people over 50, as well as adults with comorbidities or immunosuppressive conditions such as HIV/AIDS. If not treated in a timely manner, it can result in death in more than 94% of cases. In the last five years, an average of some 1966 cases of visceral leishmaniasis were recorded, with an average case fatality rate of 8.5%.
Visceral leishmaniasis has been recorded in 13 countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela). It should be noted that Brazil accounts for 94% of cases. Despite the downward trend in cases of VL in the Region, the geographical distribution of the disease has expanded.