title: Estimating the optimal control of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis by the use of a mathematical model.
abstract: We argue that the strategy of culling infected dogs is not the most efficient way to control zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) and that, in the presence of alternative control strategies with better potential results, official programs of compulsory culling adopted by some countries are inefficient and unethical. We base our arguments on a mathematical model for the study of control strategies against ZVL, which allows the comparison of the efficacies of 5, alternative strategies. We demonstrate that the culling program, previously questioned on both theoretical and practical grounds is the less effective control strategy. In addition, we show that vector control and the use of insecticide-impregnated dog collars are, by far, more efficient at reducing the prevalence of ZVL in humans.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HCFMUSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laila Massad
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ribas
authors.forename: Vera Lucia
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Zaher
authors.forename: Helio Junji
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shimozako
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Massad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000517:prevention & control*