Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model

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 ineffici...

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Main Authors: Laila Massad Ribas, Vera Lucia Zaher, Helio Junji Shimozako, Eduardo Massad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/810380
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author Laila Massad Ribas
Vera Lucia Zaher
Helio Junji Shimozako
Eduardo Massad
author_facet Laila Massad Ribas
Vera Lucia Zaher
Helio Junji Shimozako
Eduardo Massad
author_sort Laila Massad Ribas
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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publishDate 2013-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-dc2d9bf31f894d65ac1414f1477b78d12025-08-20T03:23:56ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2013-01-01201310.1155/2013/810380810380Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical ModelLaila Massad Ribas0Vera Lucia Zaher1Helio Junji Shimozako2Eduardo Massad3School of Medicine, University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HCFMUSP, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246-903 São Paulo, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HCFMUSP, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246-903 São Paulo, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HCFMUSP, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246-903 São Paulo, SP, BrazilSchool of Medicine, University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HCFMUSP, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246-903 São Paulo, SP, BrazilWe 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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/810380
spellingShingle Laila Massad Ribas
Vera Lucia Zaher
Helio Junji Shimozako
Eduardo Massad
Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model
The Scientific World Journal
title Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model
title_full Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model
title_fullStr Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model
title_full_unstemmed Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model
title_short Estimating the Optimal Control of Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis by the Use of a Mathematical Model
title_sort estimating the optimal control of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis by the use of a mathematical model
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/810380
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