The Zoonotic Leishmaniases Zoonotic Leishmaniasis in the New and Old World Note that some of the information contained in this document may not be current as of 1996. Phlebotomine sandflies vector or carry the disease agent associated with leishmaniasis.
Sandflies can carry the disease agent from a variety of animals to humans.
Many forms of leishmaniasis are maintained by animal reservoirs in both the New and the Old World. Therefore, reviewing the biology and ecology of probable zoonotic reservoirs is important for a full understanding of the disease. A primary host harbors parasites and maintains the disease in the environment, acting as a stable reservoir. Because a primary host may have adapted to the parasite, the disease may not cause debilitation or illness in the host. A secondary host may help maintain the parasite in the environment and bring the parasite into direct contact with humans.