Iraj Sharifi - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian - Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Zahra Babaei - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Fatemeh Sharifi - Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Alireza Keyhani - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Ehsan Salarkia - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Ahmad Khosravi - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Ali Khamesipour - Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Mohebali - School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abolhassan Nadim - School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Bamorovat - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Iran could be considered as an emerging disease that is rapidly increasing and expanding its traditional geographical range to new foci. Sixteen registered emerging epidemics have occurred since ۱۹۹۸ in different provinces. Various risk factors, including agricultural development, earthquake, movement to endemic areas, construction of buildings near colonies of rodents, sleeping outside, cross-border movements, and poor sanitation, play crucial roles in the expansion of the disease. The mentioned risk factors can lead to the gradual or sudden emergence of new CL epidemics, and long-lasting endemic foci can also erupt into epidemics. This paper reviews the emerging epidemics published between ۱۹۹۸ and ۲۰۱۹ in Iran with particular emphasis on the operational aspects of control and related risk factors caused by anthroponotic CL (ACL) and zoonotic CL (ZCL). The competent surveillance system should be extended to all high-risk areas to facilitate controlling the emerging epidemics of ACL and ZCL in the affected areas.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Emerging epidemics, Risk factors, Management and control, Iran