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Control of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in south‐eastern Morocco
Author(s) -
Bennis Issam,
De Brouwere Vincent,
Ameur Btissam,
El Idrissi Laamrani Abderrahmane,
Chichaoui Smaine,
Hamid Sahibi,
Boelaert Marleen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12543
Subject(s) - outbreak , leishmaniasis , christian ministry , incidence (geometry) , epidemiology , herd immunity , cutaneous leishmaniasis , leishmania infantum , veterinary medicine , herd , geography , environmental health , vector (molecular biology) , leishmania major , medicine , demography , leishmania , socioeconomics , biology , population , immunology , visceral leishmaniasis , virology , pathology , parasite hosting , world wide web , computer science , philosophy , recombinant dna , theology , sociology , optics , biochemistry , physics , gene
Objective The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis ( CL ) caused by Leishmania major has increased in Morocco over the last decade, prompting the Ministry of Health to take intersectoral response measures including vector and reservoir control. The aim of this article was to describe the CL outbreak response measures taken in the province of Errachidia, where the reservoir of L. major , a sand rat ( Meriones shawi), was targeted using strychnine‐poisoned wheat baits from 2010 to 2012. Method We analysed routine surveillance data and other information using the data of the CL control programme. Results We present data on the evolution and the extension of CL in this province as well as the epidemiological profile of the disease. Between 2004 and 2013, 7099 cases of CL were recorded in Errachidia Province, gradually affecting all districts. Our results demonstrate that more women were affected than men and that all age groups were represented. Conclusion Errachidia Province was the epicentre of the recent CL outbreak in Morocco. A notable decline in incidence rates was observed after 2011. The outbreak control measures may have contributed to this decline, as well as climatic trends or progressing herd immunity.