Professor Hechmi Louzir Calls for a Human Leishmaniasis Vaccine
Date: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Key points
- Hope for a human‑specific vaccine – Professor Hechmi Louzir, immunology expert and former Director‑General of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, announced his optimism that a vaccine for human leishmaniasis will be developed soon.
- Current canine vaccine insufficient – The vaccine used in dogs does not provide adequate protection, making a dedicated human vaccine the best solution.
- Wildlife reservoirs & climate change – The disease spreads from wild animals to dogs, which then act as a reservoir before infecting people. Climate change accelerates the proliferation of the sand‑fly vector and increases human‑animal contacts, heightening transmission risk.
- One Health perspective – While chairing the scientific commission of the “One Health” Congress for the Middle‑East & North‑Africa region, Prof. Louzir stressed the need for preventive strategies against emerging diseases linked to pollution and environmental disruption.
- Recognition by France – The French Embassy in Tunisia reported that Prof. Louzir was awarded the French Legion of Honour in a ceremony overseen by Alain Mérieux, President of the Institut and the Mérieux Foundation, in recognition of his outstanding career in immunology and his research on rabies and leishmaniasis.
Detailed summary
Professor Hechmi Louzir, a leading immunologist and former head of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, appeared on Radio Nationale on 18 February 2026 to discuss the urgent need for a human leishmaniasis vaccine. He explained that the existing vaccine for dogs, while helpful, fails to curb the disease effectively. The parasite is primarily transmitted by wild mammals that are difficult to control; dogs serve as an intermediate reservoir, facilitating the jump to humans.
He warned that climate change is a major driver of the disease’s spread. Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns favor the sand‑fly vector, leading to faster and broader transmission, especially as human‑animal interactions increase.
During his tenure as president of the scientific commission of the One Health Congress for the Middle‑East–North‑Africa region, Prof. Louzir highlighted the importance of preventive measures to limit the risk of emerging diseases. He emphasized that tackling pollution and environmental disturbances is crucial for safeguarding public health.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Prof. Louzir was decorated with the French Legion of Honour. The ceremony, supervised by Alain Mérieux, recognized his exceptional work in immunology, particularly his studies on rabies and leishmaniasis.
Source
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Keywords: human leishmaniasis vaccine, Hechmi Louzir, One Health, climate change, sand‑fly vector, Tunisia, French Legion of Honour, immunology, rabies, canine vaccine.
