Environmental manipulation in the control of a zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis focus

An investigation is currently underway to assess the efficiency and practicality of combined burrow destruction and removal of chenopods in the control of a zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) focus. Karameh and Sweimeh, situated in the southern Jordan Valley, are stable endemic foci for ZCL. Control measures have been initiated in Karameh and will be maintained for two years. Sweimeh will be used as control. Karameh combines a desert habitat with a high water table created by extensive irrigation. This resulted in an unnatural abundance of chenopods and active rodent colonies throughout the year. Some 50 Psammomys obesus and 6 Meriones tristrami were captured from various colonies. At present, chenopods are being uprooted and burrows destroyed to a depth of 0.5 to 1 meter within a perimeter of 2 Km from Karameh. However, man-made changes of the topography has made the application of control measures more difficult. The effect of control will be assessed through comparison of leishmanin skin tests (LST) positivity in children below the age of six years, from both foci, prior to and post control. Precontrol LST have shown a positivity rate of 33.3% in Karameh and 80.2% in Sweimeh.