Introduction:

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne infectious disease, with visceral leishmaniasis being the most severe clinical form. In Colombia, it represents a public health problem, especially in rural and marginalized populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution and quantify the burden of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Colombia between 2007 and 2023.

Methodology:

An observational, retrospective, and descriptive study was conducted using secondary data from the Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA). Confirmed cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Colombia were analyzed using descriptive statistics, considering variables of time, person and place. The analysis included annual distribution, age, sex, ethnicity, health affiliation regime, geographic origin, and the calculation of time between symptom onset, medical care and hospitalization if necessary.

Results:

During the period analyzed, 354 cases were reported. Most were concentrated in the departments of Bolivar, Sucre and Cordoba, representing 77,68% of the cases. The most affected age group was children under 5 years of age (82,20%), with a male predominance (53,39%) and a high proportion in the indigenous population (87%). Of the cases, 75,71% were affiliated to the subsidized system. Forty-one percent of the cases were reported in rural areas. Regarding medical care, 83,33% of cases required hospitalization and case fatality was low (4%). The average time between symptom onset and medical consultation was 27,14 days.

Conclusions:

It is concluded that visceral leishmaniasis remains endemic in Colombia, with focused distribution in rural regions of the Caribbean region and predominance in vulnerable populations (indigenous, children, immunosuppressed). Challenges persist, such as timely detection, underreporting, and barriers to access to health care. There is a need to strengthen active surveillance, improve diagnostic systems, and reinforce vector control and prevention strategies in high-risk communities.