Human Cutaneous Leishmaniosis in Iran, Up to Date-2019

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected and parasitic vector borne diseases that is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to explain the present status of CL in Iran. This report is based on data that recorded by cutaneous leishmaniasis surveillance system in 2019, and evalu­ated in Center for Communicable Diseases Management in Ministry of Health in Iran. Iran has been considered an endemic area for cutaneous leishmani­asis in the world. Dependent to activities for cutaneous leishmaniasis control the number of cases decreased from 23202 in 2008 (Incidence rate 32 per 100000) to 13124 in 2019 (Incidence rate 15.8 per 100000), more cases reported from September to December, in 2019, 46% of cases had one lesion and 21% had 2 lesions, 85% of cases diagnosed when the diameter of lesions had 3 centimeters and bellows. Although the Leishmania control program began in 1977, the incidence of the disease has dropped dramat­ically since 2008 when the new cutaneous leishmaniasis control program have been implemented. Although in some areas the inci­dence of the disease increased, but the implementation of the new program has reduced the number of cas­es, in order to continue reducing the disease, permanent support for the control programs is needed.