Leishmaniasis Surveillance in the Sinai with Special Emphasis to the Multinational Force and Observers and Associated Areas.

Leishmaniasis is a wide spread disease throughout many regions of Southwest Asia. Military personnel deployed into the Sinai as members of the Multinational Force and Observers MFO contingent are at risk from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis CL. This disease is vectored by various anthropophilic sand fly species, of which at least nine have been reported in the Sinai region. Sand flies were collected through various years and Phiebotomus papatasi accounts for greater than 96 of species collected. Seasonal distribution of sand flies was studied. Feral rodents are implicated as reservoir hosts for CL. Gerbillus sp. and Meuones crassus account for nearly 80 of those collected during the survey. Survey results for the isolation of Leishmania parasites indicate that a small percentage of sand flies are infected, ranging from zero to 5.07. No feral rodents were found to be infected during the most recent 1993-1995 collection period. Human cases were reported, varying in number over different years, with a slight resurgence in 1995. Cutaneous leishmaniasis continues to pose a risk to troops deployed into the region and efforts to prevent the disease should be given priority.