CONTROL OF ZOONOTIC CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS BY MASS LEISHMANIZATION IN HYPERENDEMIC AREA OF ISFAHAN

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis is hyperendemic in the rural areas, north and east of the city of Isfahan in the central region of Iran. Attempts to control the disease by different methods have all failed. A field trial showed that the effectiveness of leishmanization was successful in a limited part of this area. In February 1982 and 1983, more than 80,000 persons were inoculated. Our evaluation demonstrated that this vaccination program reduced the number of cases to almost one-seventh the expected number. In general, although this type of immunization may not be recommendable in most endemic areas, it may he used in persons and populations moving into high risk areas.