title: Control of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in south-eastern Morocco.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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. major, a sand rat (Meriones shawi), was targeted using strychnine-poisoned wheat baits from 2010 to 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed routine surveillance data and other information using the data of the CL control programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: National School of Public Health, Rabat, Morocco.|Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bennis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Brouwere
authors.affiliation: Directorate of Epidemiology and Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Btissam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ameur
authors.affiliation: Directorate of Epidemiology and Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Abderrahmane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Idrissi Laamrani
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Province of Errachidia, Morocco.
authors.forename: Smaine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chichaoui
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Sahibi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boelaert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D051381:Rats; D012423:Rural Health; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Leishmania major; Maroc; Marruecos; Morocco; Zoonosis; cutaneous leishmaniasis; leishmaniose cutanée; leishmaniosis cutánea; raticida; rodenticide; rodonticide; zoonoses