Summary of Week 1

What have we learned?

This week we have introduced the Leishmania parasite and described the disease it can cause. The transmission and spread of VL were explained and the people who are most likely to be infected were identified. We also introduced some general concepts you may encounter when learning about control programmes and the week was completed by some interviews from experts in VL-endemic countries, of the risk factors and burden of VL infections.

What will we head towards now?

Over the next week, Week 2, we will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of VL in different disease settings. In the first part of the week, you will learn what diagnostic methods are available and are currently being used. In the second half of the week, you will hear about the issues surrounding the treatment of VL with the available drugs. We will focus on the complexities of treating VL, including expert testimony from one of the doctors working in East Africa.

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