Epidemiological Profile of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis in the City of Meknes, During the Period from 2014 to 2019

Abstract

Introduction Leishmaniasis is a common parasitosis of humans and animals. They are caused by flagellated protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania and transmitted to humans by the bites of insect vectors, called female sandflies. They are the second most common cause of parasitic death worldwide after malaria and are endemic in Asian and African countries. In Morocco, they pose a real public health problem. The objective of our work is to analyse the spatial and temporal distribution of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in order to evaluate the epidemiological situation of these parasitoses in the region of Meknes and to appreciate their evolution according to the nature of the environment. Material and method In this context, we conducted a retrospective study during the period from 2014 to 2019, collecting all cases of leishmaniasis reported in this city. Epidemiological data were collected from the registers of new cases of leishmaniasis at the service of infrastructure and ambulatory actions of the provincial and prefectural delegation of the Ministry of Health of Meknes. Results A total of fifty-four new cases were declared infected, these data shows that there is coexistence of both forms of leishmaniasis: cutaneous (79.63%) and visceral (20.37%) with a predominance of rural areas (61.11%), as well as, the sex ratio was 0.86 and the average annual incidence was 9 cases per year. Conclusion The major challenge for Morocco between now and 2030 is the definitive elimination of leishmaniasis, which requires the adoption of a global approach by acting on the sources of contamination through surveillance and appropriate management, effective control of vectors and reservoirs, and innovative strategies to raise awareness in local society.