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URL: http://sjsph.tums.ac.ir/article-1-49-en.html
1, Gholamhossein Edrissian , Mohammad Reza Shirzadi , Yavar Hosseingholizadeh , Mohammad Hossein Pashaei , Akbar Ganji , Zabihallah Zarei , Ahmad Kousha , Behnaz Akhoundi , Homa Hajjaran , Hossein Malekafzali
Background and Aim: Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic parasitic disease with a high fatality rate in under-5-year-old children. The disease is endemic in some parts of Iran, particularly in the north-west region. In 2001 a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) surveillance system was established for children aged ≤ 12 years in the primary health system in Meshkin-Shahr District, Ardebil Province, situated in the north-west of Islamic Republic of Iran.
Materials and Methods: All cases with clinical signs and symptoms of VL and confirmed positive by the direct agglutination test (DAT) were referred for physical examination and treatment.
Results: The mean annual incidence of VL decreased significantly from 1.88 per 1000 children before (1985-2000), to 0.77 per 1000 child population after (2001-07), the intervention. In the control area with no surveillance, it increased from 0.11 to 0.23 per 1000.
Conclusion: Early detection of VL using serological tests and timely treatment of cases can decrease the mortality and morbidity rates of VL in endemic areas.
Received: 2011/04/20 | Accepted: 2011/05/17 | Published: 2013/08/9
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