Brazilian municipalities issue alerts for visceral leishmaniasis

Local authorities in Votuporanga and Barueri, Brazil, have issued health alerts regarding visceral leishmaniasis, a serious disease transmitted to humans and dogs by the bite of infected sandflies (mosquito-palha).

In Votuporanga, the Health Secretariat is urging residents to cooperate with surveillance teams during home visits and to allow blood collection from dogs. This testing is vital for identifying infections and directing control actions. In humans, the disease can cause prolonged fever, weakness, weight loss, and anemia, potentially leading to death if untreated. In dogs, symptoms include weight loss, hair loss, skin lesions, and lethargy.

In Barueri, the Department of Zoonosis Control has identified positive cases in several neighborhoods, including Jardim Líbano, Jardim Silveira, Jardim Tupã, Jardim Tatiana, Jardim Mutinga, Vila São Francisco, Parque Imperial, and Alphaville 18 do Forte. Authorities recommend that citizens verify the sanitary history and origin of dogs before purchase or adoption, specifically avoiding animals from regions with known disease records or undocumented sources.