Sand fly-borne diseases in Europe: epidemiological overview and potential triggers for their emergence and re-emergence

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Abstract

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are vectors of human and animal pathogens, including Leishmania species protozoan parasites and viruses of the genus Phlebovirus. In Europe, visceral zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum, a deadly disease when left untreated, is endemic in southern countries, and dogs are the main reservoir hosts for human infection. Most phleboviruses cause asymptomatic infections or flu-like syndromes in humans, but Toscana phlebovirus can cause meningitis and encephalitis. These diseases are likely to re-emerge, posing a growing threat to public and animal health. Potential triggers include the movement of humans and dogs, increasing numbers of immunosuppressive conditions, climate change and other human-mediated environmental changes. An overview of the main epidemiological characteristics of the pathogens transmitted by sand flies in Europe and the potential triggers involved in their emergence and re-emergence are reviewed here. There is a need to implement mandatory notification of human and canine leishmaniases and human phleboviruses and coordinated epidemiological surveillance programmes at a European level, and to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and citizens about sand fly-borne diseases, following a One Health approach.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6-12
Number of pages7
JournalJournal Of Comparative Pathology
Volume209
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024

Keywords

  • climate change
  • emergence
  • environmental changes
  • epidemiology
  • Europe
  • human-made changes
  • Leishmania
  • One Health
  • Phlebovirus
  • sand fly-borne diseases

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