Still a neglected tropical disease. Epidemiological analysis of leishmaniasis in the Czech Republic in 1997-2024

More than one million people are estimated to be infected by Leishmania annually worldwide. Due to the high movement of people and animals in today's globalized world as a result of tourism, migration, war conflicts, and/or climate change, the spread of leishmaniasis to new areas previously regarded as non-endemic has recently been reported. The emergence of phlebotomine sandflies, vectors of Leishmania, in neighbouring countries triggered our interest in leishmaniasis cases reported to the EPIDAT and ISIN databases in the Czech Republic between 1997 and 2024.

Summary data on the cases reported to the EPIDAT and ISIN databases under the ICD-10 code B55 Leishmaniasis in 1997-2024 were analysed by country of import, travel purpose, nationality, age, sex, reporting date, disease form, agent of infection, and case fatality.

Between 1997 and 2024, a total of 45 cases of leishmaniasis were reported, 40 of which in Czech citizens. Most cases were imported from the European Union (16) and Latin America (13) countries. Men were 3.5 times more often affected than women (ratio 7:2). The patients were mainly Czech citizens returning from travel abroad (24 men, seven women). The most common form of the disease, if indicated, was cutaneous leishmaniasis (17 cases). None of the cases was reported in the age groups under 1 year and 70 years and older. The causative Leishmania species was only indicated in four cases. One death associated with leishmaniasis was reported (case fatality rate 2.2 %).

The number of cases reported annually remained more or less constant between 1997 and 2024. However, more cases might emerge in the future due to increased movement of people and animals and/or climate change. Therefore, it is important to promote the One Health approach and consider the introduction of leishmaniasis surveillance in the Czech Republic.