Socio-economic and ecological impacts on dispersal of cutaneous leishmaniasis in North Central Province, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a fatal disease caused by a parasitic protist of the genus Leishmania through the infected primary vectors, Phlebotomine (Diptera: Psychodidae) female sand flies. In Sri Lanka, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is established in Anuradhapura district. The present study was carried out to determine the socio-economic and environmental factors on the distribution of CL. A survey was conducted among CL patients on selected demographic and socio-economic factors and environmental characteristics at three study localities throughout a year. Phlebotomine sand flies were collected using sticky traps and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps around residences of CL patients. Significant differences were shown between mean abundance of primary vectors and different environmental characteristics. The sand flies were reported to gather in shrubs, jungle areas, gardening areas, wet soil areas, leaf litter and around termite hills. The data obtained showed poor knowledge and lack of awareness about leishmaniasis among the local communities. Therefore, it is paramount to conduct awareness programs on leishmaniasis transmission, potential risk factors, sand fly vector of the disease, preventing the sand fly bites and how domestic surrounding areas must be managed for reducing vector populations to prevent disease spreading among local community.