01823nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001100001300042700001800055700001200073700002600085700001600111700001200127700001500139245009200154300001600246490000700262520134600269022001401615       2015                            d1 aBennis I1 aDe Brouwere V1 aAmeur B1 aEl Idrissi Laamrani A1 aChichaoui S1 aHamid S1 aBoelaert M00aControl of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in South-Eastern Morocco.  a1297 - 13050 v203 a<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania major has increased in Morocco over the last decade, prompting the Ministry of Health to take intersectoral response measures including vector and reservoir control. The aim of this article was to describe the CL outbreak response measures taken in the province of Errachidia, where the reservoir of L.&nbsp;major, a sand rat (Meriones shawi), was targeted using strychnine-poisoned wheat baits from 2010 to 2012.</p>

<p><strong>METHOD: </strong>We analysed routine surveillance data and other information using the data of the CL control programme.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>We present data on the evolution and the extension of CL in this province as well as the epidemiological profile of the disease. Between 2004 and 2013, 7099 cases of CL were recorded in Errachidia Province, gradually affecting all districts. Our results demonstrate that more women were affected than men and that all age groups were represented.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Errachidia Province was the epicentre of the recent CL outbreak in Morocco. A notable decline in incidence rates was observed after 2011. The outbreak control measures may have contributed to this decline, as well as climatic trends or progressing herd immunity.</p>
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