[Present situation of visceral leishmaniasis and prospect for its control in China]

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, considerable success was achieved in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) control. By the end of 1970s, VL was effectively controlled from most endemic areas. However, VL has still been prevalent in some areas or sporadical cases reported in some other areas of 6 provinces/autonomous regions in western China, including Xinjiang, Gansu, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia It is suggested that research activities be encouraged, including epidemiological factors, phlebotomine vector biology and control, wild animal hosts and disease relapse after treatment. Surveillance should be emphasized in the provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities where the disease has already been eliminated.