Leishmaniasis in South West Africa/Namibia to date.

A total of 34 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) have been diagnosed in South West Africa/Namibia since 1970. Visceral leishmaniasis has not occurred. So far a sandfly Phlebotomus rossi has emerged as a possible vector of the disease in man. Several aspects of vector incrimination and bionomics still need clarification. Further carefully planned and directed field studies are required in an attempt to identify the reservoir host for human CL.