Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease known in Europe because it affects dogs. It is caused by the Leishmania parasite carried by sandflies . However, several types of the parasite also affect humans in several regions in the world.

Visceral leishmaniasis, or Kala-Azar, is a tropical disease caused by several types of Leishmania parasites transmitted by sandflies.

For 700 million people in Africa and the Far-East, yams and cassava represent important crops for food security and as a source of income.

Guy Weets, a telecommunications engineer and consultant for the research centre AMRA (Analysis and Monitoring of Environmental Risk) in Naples, is the scientific coordinator of the CLUVA project, funded by the EU.

Professor Patrick Kolsteren is a researcher at the Unit of Nutrition and Child Health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp is the general coordinator of the EU funded SUNRAY research project. ...