[leish-l] Leishmaniasis - Iraq

[Fred R. Opperdoes]

At 22:46 -0400 5/31/03, ProMED Digest wrote:
>Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 20:08:31 -0400 (EDT)
>From: ProMED-mail <promed at promed.isid.harvard.edu>
>Subject: PRO/EDR> Leishmaniasis - Iraq: RFI
>
>LEISHMANIASIS - IRAQ: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
>**********************
>A ProMED-mail post
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>
>Date: Fri, 31 May 2003
>From: Pablo Nart <p.nart at vet.gla.ac.uk>
>Source: NDTV Thu 29 May 2003
><http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Usiraqconfrontation&slug=%3CI%3EKalaAzar%3C%2FI%3E+outbreak+in+Iraq%3A+UNICEF&id=38619&callid=1>
>
>
>Outbreak of Kala-Azar (visceral leishmaniasis) in Iraq
>- --------------------------------------------------
>UNICEF has announced an outbreak of Kala-Azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis) in
>Iraq. Though there have been outbreaks of the disease in Iraq in the past
>around this time of year, it is particularly severe this time.
>
>There are now more than 200 cases of Kala-Azar reported in Iraq. The
>country does see regular outbreaks of the disease.
>UNICEF has warned that this time the outbreak could be severe.
>
>Kala-Azar is spread mainly by sand flies and causes malnutrition and
>anaemia. When left untreated, the disease is fatal within 4 to 6 weeks.
>
>[Byline: Kamini Sawhney (Baghdad)]
>
>- --
>ProMED-mail
><promed at promedmail.org>
>
>[Leishmaniasis is endemic in Iraq and is caused by _L. major_ and _L.
>tropica_, which can cause both visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous
>leishmaniasis (CL). Leishmaniasis from these 2 species are predominantly
>CL, and an increase in CL will most probably be found if looked for. It is
>possible that malnutrition and other infections may have caused more cases
>to manifest as VL. Leishmania is transmitted from animal reservoirs and
>human hosts by sandflies. There are no annual statistics on VL in Iraq, but
>Gideon (<www.gideononline.com>) reports 8500 cases from 1971 to 1980, with
>the highest prevalence in the central areas and greater Baghdad. Cases have
>not been reported since then, but there is no reason to believe that there
>have been fewer cases. More information on this outbreak would be
>appreciated. - Mods.EP/MPP]
>
>[see also:
>2001
>- ----
>Leishmaniasis, suspected - Iraq      20010917.2245]
>...................mpp/ep/pg/mpp
>
>------------------------------