High efficacy of integrated preventive measures against zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern Afghanistan, as revealed by Quantified Infection Rates

Post-earthquake outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a rural region of southern Iran

“…Both ACL and ZCL also occur in neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan, where war, poor infrastructure and/or refugee migration have led to recent outbreaks (Rowland et al, 1999;Reyburn et al, 2003;Faulde et al, 2008aFaulde et al, , b, 2009. In areas where the disease occurs, eco-epidemiological changes, whether anthropogenically or naturally induced, may trigger increases in the incidence of CLalthough such increases could be mitigated by the proper implementation of integrated preventive measures (Faulde et al, 2009). This is the first formal report from Fars province on an outbreak of CL apparently caused by earthquakes in a rural town.…”

Indigenous house mice dominate small mammal communities in northern Afghan military bases

“…In case of Camp Marmal, the massive increase of the local R. opimus population was attributed to banks of loose soil erected during construction works in the vicinity of the base. By 2006, the soil banks were removed, graveled or replaced by a concrete wall surrounding parts of the base [5]. These modifications in combination with pest control measures, the reconstruction of infrastructure as well as the introduction of food sources more suitable to commensalic rodents (e.g.…”

“…Despite the advancements of logistics, medical support and technology, hygienic conditions in military bases in the Central Asian theatre or in Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) used for combat operations, still may support the spread of infectious agents [2][3][4][5]. Especially arthropod-or rodent-borne pathogens still pose a significant threat.…”

“…ISAF personnel were also affected with more than 200 ZCL cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2005 [4]. To prevent further infections of ISAF as well as employed civil personnel with Leishmania spp., a parasite with a rodent reservoir host, both major reconstruction works and pest control operations have been conducted throughout the further operation time of Camp Marmal [5] by a dedicated pest control unit. As Afghanistan is home to a wide range of rodents which may harbor pathogens [10,11], a seasonal monitoring for rodents and mosquitos was implemented to verify the effectiveness of used pest control measures and to reassess the risk of infectious diseases present inside military camps of German responsibility.…”

“…Especially arthropod-or rodent-borne pathogens still pose a significant threat. Many of the current UN peacekeeping missions are located in areas that pose an infection risk with tropical viral, bacterial or protozoan pathogens [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The largest military operation of the last decade involving international personnel was the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan which started in December 2001.…”