An Epidemic of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Baft District in Kerman Province and its Probable Causative Risk Factors

In Iran, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) as a health problem is increasing and presenting two epidemiological forms; Zoonotic CL (ZCL) and anthroponotic CL (ACL). The objective of the present study was to introduce the CL epidemic in Baft district, Kerman province. This study was conducted in 3 villages; Soltanabad, Vakilabad and Shahmaran as a census between spring and autumn of 1998 in Orzoeihe region, Baft district. Various epidemiological aspects of this epidemic including prevalence and related demographic factors, diagnosis by direct smears, identification of the causative species by immunological and biological methods were determined. Population of the 3 villages was 13721; mean 21.8±13.9 years, 50.7% males and 49.3% females.. The prevalence rate of 12.3% with mean age of 16.3±12.1 years were infected. Most of the cases were in 10-20 years of age and in Soltanabad (30.6%). The mean number of lesions was 2.58, majority with ≥2 lesions, frequently located on the legs and hands. No previous history of CL scar were observed. All 100 IFAT, 30 ELISA tests and 18 inoculated mice showed L.major as the overall causative agent. This is the first epidemic of CL occurred in the southern villages of Baft district with high severity in all age and sex groups in a new agricultural region. Probably the source of infection was the new comers who arrived the region from endemic areas for agricultural purposes and infecting the gerbils. Thus, this new agricultural development has created an extraordinary suitable condition for propagation of rodents and sand fly populations, then the occurrence of the new epidemic in rural residence, consequently.