Urban invation of sandflies transmition of leishmania in merida venezuela

Abstract

Urban development together with uncontrolled construction in endemic areas of leishmaniasis has resulted in a series of environmental transformations that have promoted the spread of cutaneous leishmaniasis, with the adaptation sandflies transmitters to these urban environments. This study aims to determine the presence of sandflies and the epidemiological factors associated with the transmission of leishmaniasis in an urban area of Zea, Venezuela. Five methods of catching sandflies were used indoors in two urbanizations in Zea, Venezuela. Through a survey-type instrument, the epidemiological variables associated with the transmission of leishmaniasis in the housing estates were determined. The presence in the urban dwellings of Lutzomyia youngi, Lutzomyia spinicrassa, Lutzomyia migonei, Lutzomyia ovallesi, Lutzomyia walkeri, Lutzomyia venezuelensis, Lutzomyia atroclavata and Lutzomyia lichyi were demonstrated. 62.5% of the species caught in urbanized areas have antropohematophagy habits. A 67% and 80% of infestation was determined in the dwellings of the studied urbanizations. It was evidenced a low level of knowledge in the inhabitants mainly on the sandflies, which increases the risk of domiciliation and transmission of leishmaniasis, the control entities are warned to implement preventive and educational measures.