Epidemiologic status of visceral leishmaniasis in Maravetapeh County, Golestan Province, 2007-2015

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as Kala-azar, is one of the main parasitic vector borne diseases, which transmitted by sand fly.Objectives: The current study aims to evaluate epidemiological status of VL in Maravetapeh County in Golestan Province.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all confirmed cases of Kala-azar and their demographic characteristics were assessed from 2007-2015. Moreover using geographic information system (GIS), villages which had confirmed cases of Kala-azar were identified and their geographical information was registered. Villages with confirmed cases of Kala-azar were introduced as at risk villages for VL.Results: Overall, seven cases of Kala-azar were reported that all of them were aged under 6 years and in all of them fever and splenomegaly was reported. All cases were reported from 3 villages and most of them (4 cases) were reported from Shalami village. All of these villages are in hot and dry areas of county and they have mountainous and semi-mountainous geographical status with higher altitude compare to other villages. Fifty two villages of county were recognized as at-risk villages for Kala-azar.Conclusion:avoid Kala-azar presented in sporadic condition in Maravetapeh County. Continuous case finding of Kala-azar for early diagnosis and treatment is necessary

Keywords:

Kala-azar , visceral leishmaniasis , Epidemiology , Iran