ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in two villages in the northeastern area of the Diyarbakir Province in 2001. A sudden increase in cases was detected by the dermatology clinic of Dicle University Hospital. Most of the cases were from the villages of Durabeyli and Dedeköy. A two-stage study was conducted. Lesions from 78 persons were investigated microbiologically using Giemsa and a survey was held to evaluate the dimension of the outbreak. During the survey, scars and lesions of 443 villagers were examined. CL was diagnosed in 20 out of 78 (25.6%) cases by microbiologic methods. According to survey results, 101 of 443 villagers (22.79%) had scars or lesions. Out of these, 44 cases had scars and 57 had active lesions. The oldest scars were 30 months old and there was an increase in cases after this time. The outbreak was associated with living conditions. Although we have limited evidence, this outbreak may be related to the GAP irrigation-agriculture project. The outbreak of the initial CL cases took place in sequence with the storage of water by the irrigation dam. Untreated CL cases may be responsible for this outbreak. There was no migration of seasonal workers to Sanliurfa where CL is endemic.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, outbreak, irrigation, agriculture