American visceral leishmaniasis in an ecotourism area

Visceral Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that represents one of the most important public health problems in world. This neglected tropical zoonosis shows an increasing urbanization process, since end 1980s. The increase ecotourism practices, mainly regions nearby urban areas facilitates interaction between companion animals, humans, and wildlife. Known as land waterfalls, Carrancas 728 km² Brazilian municipality located at 1052m, southeast Brazil. region surrounded by with autochthonous cases Canine lacking studies on presence vectors Leishmania spp. part area, renowned tourist destination Brazil abroad called Royal Road or “Estrada Real – ER. Due to number travelers involved exposing them risk factors for diseases, we propose investigate phlebotomine sandflies protected area southern state Minas Gerais, which constantly visited tourists over Six specimens Lutzomyia longipalpis were captured Carrancas. first report L. south Gerais State. record contributes our knowledge geographical distribution main vector American alerts us need permanent surveillance education this location.