Prevention and Control of Chagas and Leishmaniasis Diseases in Honduras

The project's objective is to improve the health conditions of the rural population at risk of vector-transmitted diseases through support to the Honduran National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis. The purpose is to support reduction or elimination of the transmission of Chagas and Leishmaniasis diseases and to facilitate access to necessary treatment for vulnerable priority populations. In coordination with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Global Affairs Canada provides technical and financial support to the Honduran Ministry of Health in the implementation of its Strategy while at the same time it develops the Ministry's institutional capacity to manage its vector-borne disease programs as a whole.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) elimination of the most frequent form of vectoral transmission of Chagas disease (the beetle Rhodnius prolixus); (2) reduction of household infestation by the beetle Triatoma dimidiata from 30% to 5% in Chagas endemic areas; (3) provision of medical treatment from 90% to 100% of all children under 15 years of age with Chagas disease in endemic areas; (4) reduction by 75% in the number of cases of non-ulcerated Leishmaniasis; (5) increased number of infected individuals receiving treatment for Leishmaniasis from 1 250 to 3 600 in departments of intervention; and (6) maintaining 100% screening of all blood donations for Chagas disease at national blood banks.