Epidemiology and incidence of leishmaniasis in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia (2007-2015): An overview
Mohamed K Sirdar, Mohamed H Al-Zahrani, Abdo A Dahlan, Ahmed A Sahli, Waheed S Mohamed, Yehya M Hejri, Omer M Dafalla, Mohamed S Alattass, Arishi Hayder and Elsiddig M Noureldin
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are endemic in Jazan region. Reviewing the epidemiology of leishmaniasis is imperative for the disease surveillance and control.The present study was conductedto investigate the epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in Jazan region (2007-2015). Secondary data of confirmed cases of CL and VL were analyzed.The total confirmed cases of CL and VL during the said period were 390 and 120, respectively. Aledabi has recorded the highest cases of CL (307), while Alaridah has the highest VL cases (54). Alkhobah recorded the lowest cases for CL and VL (2 and 16, respectively). CL parasite circulating in the region is Leishmania tropica, with no animal reservoir host and with Phlebotomus sergenti being the main vector. Leishmania donovani sensu lato is the main VL parasite in the region; feral dogs are the reservoir, and P. alexandri and P. orientalis are suspected main vectors.Leishmaniasis is considered an endemic disease in the region. Vector-related interventions would continue to be the intervention of choice.
Mohamed K Sirdar, Mohamed H Al-Zahrani, Abdo A Dahlan, Ahmed A Sahli, Waheed S Mohamed, Yehya M Hejri, Omer M Dafalla, Mohamed S Alattass, Arishi Hayder, Elsiddig M Noureldin. Epidemiology and incidence of leishmaniasis in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia (2007-2015): An overview. J Entomol Zool Stud 2018;6(5):859-864.