Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Outbreak in Israel
Author Information
Author(s): Singer Shepherd Roee, Abramson Nitsa, Shoob Hanna, Zaken Ora, Zentner Gary, Stein-Zamir Chen
Primary Institution: Jerusalem District Health Office, Jerusalem, Israel
Hypothesis
The outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Jerusalem district is influenced by environmental factors and urban development.
Conclusion
The outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Israel was significantly higher than in previous years, suggesting a concerning trend linked to environmental changes.
Supporting Evidence
- A total of 161 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were reported in the Jerusalem district during 2004-2005.
- Incidence rates for the Jerusalem district increased dramatically from 0.13 to 9.7/100,000 during the outbreak.
- Most patients lived within 200 m of wilderness areas, suggesting proximity to potential reservoirs.
Takeaway
A lot of people got a skin disease called cutaneous leishmaniasis in a town near Jerusalem, and it might be because of changes in the environment and how the town is growing.
Methodology
Cases were confirmed using stained smears, culture, or serologic analysis, and plotted using a geographic information system.
Potential Biases
The study may have detection bias due to increased surveillance during the outbreak.
Limitations
Detection bias may have been introduced due to active surveillance and environmental interventions.
Participant Demographics
The age distribution of patients was similar to that of uninfected persons in the town, with a range from infants to elderly individuals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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