About Visceral leishmaniasis: progress, priorities, and pathways to elimination

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is one of the world’s most severe neglected tropical diseases. Caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by the bite of female sandflies, VL is fatal if untreated in over 95% of cases and continues to place a substantial burden on communities in eastern Africa, where over two-thirds of global cases occur.

This collection brings together a series of reports and resources developed through Wellcome-supported activities aimed at strengthening the evidence base for VL control and elimination. It is anchored by the "Visceral Leishmaniasis: Progress and Priorities" report, which synthesises discussions from a multidisciplinary workshop held in May 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya. The workshop convened researchers, policymakers, funders and other stakeholders to review the current VL research landscape in eastern Africa, identify major gaps in knowledge and tools, and prioritise activities needed to support the World Health Organization’s 2030 elimination goals.

Alongside the core report, the collection includes several complementary outputs that explore different dimensions of VL research. The art in the "Graphic Recording" visually synthesises key themes, evidence gaps, and priorities emerging from the workshop, using illustrations and data visualisation to make complex scientific and policy discussions more accessible. The report titled "Unlocking the Power of Citizen Data in Addressing Infectious Diseases” examines how community generated data can strengthen surveillance, early detection, and understanding of disease burden, drawing on case studies and experiences from countries affected by leishmaniasis and other infectious diseases. Finally, the report titled “Communicating on Leishmaniasis” explores how research on VL can better cut through to decisionmakers, outlining messaging approaches, narratives, and engagement strategies to support advocacy, policy uptake, and progress towards elimination.

By publishing these outputs together, the collection aims to:

• Highlight priority research gaps across sandfly biology and control, burden and risk factors for infection and disease, and product development;
• Support more coordinated, cross-border and interdisciplinary approaches to VL research and control;
• Improve the translation of research into policy and practice by strengthening citizen data use, visualisation of research gaps, and communication approaches;
• Contribute evidence and ideas that can accelerate progress towards the elimination of VL as a public health problem in eastern Africa.

Collection Advisors:

• Mary Cameron, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Professor of Medical Entomology and Head of the Department of Disease Control
  A medical entomologist with forty years of experience in international research on the surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases, with extensive collaborative networks focused on neglected tropical diseases in endemic countries.
• Glaucia Cota, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Head of Visceral Leishmaniasis Clinical Programme
  A Brazilian infectious disease physician with extensive experience in tropical medicine and leishmaniasis research. Her work has focused on clinical studies, diagnostics, and treatment strategies for visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil and internationally.
• Dia-Eldin Elnaiem, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Professor of Natural Sciences
  An infectious disease biologist whose research focuses on the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases, with expertise in sandflies and visceral leishmaniasis.
• Daniel Masiga, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Head of Global Health Thematic Research Programme
  A senior researcher specialising in arthropod-borne pathogens and disease vectors. His work focuses on genomics and bioinformatics to support surveillance and detection of emerging infectious disease threats in East Africa.
• Damaris Matoke‑Muhia, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Acting Deputy Director of Biotechnology Research Program and Entomology Division Head
  A research scientist specialising in vector‑borne diseases and genomics, leading biotechnology research coordination and capacity building at KEMRI.
• Duncan Ochol, END Fund, Senior Director
  A global health programme leader overseeing the technical and financial management of the END Fund’s visceral leishmaniasis portfolio across East Africa, with extensive experience in neglected tropical disease control.