Leishmaniosis is a fatal disease present in several regions of the globe, especially in Southern Europe and South America. In Europe alone, it affects 2.5 million dogs¹. Caused by a Leishmania-type protozoan parasite, it is transmitted to both humans and animals through the bite of an infected sand-fly. It poses a risk to people staying in an endemic area, particularly in developing countries. In Turkey, the prevalence of canine leishmaniosis can reach 25%² in some regions, especially around the Mediterranean basin. Yet there is a lack of awareness about the disease among companion animal owners. Furthermore, veterinarians don’t have any registered veterinary treatment products and have very few preventive solutions (pyrethroid-based parasiticides to prevent against sand-fly bites).

Mindful of the animal and human health issues related to parasitism in this country, Virbac, since March, has been providing Turkish veterinarians with CANILEISH^®, the first protein-based vaccine excreted-secreted from Leishmania infantum to prevent canine leishmaniosis. On this occasion, Virbac teams brought together nearly 400 veterinarians for an expert-facilitated conference in Istanbul, where they were given an introduction to the disease and its consequences.

Meanwhile, Virbac is making available the country's practitioners with a screening test to diagnose the disease. Finally, an information campaign is being rolled out by Virbac in veterinary clinic waiting rooms to raise awareness among animal owners.

For more than 20 years, Virbac has been committed worldwide to becoming more familiar with canine leishmaniosis and combating this fatal disease through a series of diagnostic, prevention and treatment products.

¹ Epke A. Le Rutte, Roosmarijn van Straten, Paul A.M. Overgaauw. Awareness and control of canine leishmaniosis: A survey among Spanish and French veterinarians. Veterinary Parasitology, 2018, 253, 87-93

² Ertabaklar et al. Serological and entomological survey in a zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis focus of North-Central Anatolia, Turkey: Corum province. Acta Tropica, 2005, 93, 239–246