Fauna and monthly activity of sand flies at zoonotic cutaneous leishmanianisis focus in Damghan district, Semnan province (2008)

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmanianisis is one of most important health problem in the world and the disease has been reported from more than 88 countries with 350 million people at the risk of it. The disease has been widespread in several parts of islamic republic of Iran. Sand flies (phlebotominae) are the vectors of the disease that transmit of parasites from the infected rodents to human. Knowledge on ecology of Sand flies can help us to design of disease control program. Determine of fauna and monthlyonthly activity of Sand flies was the main objects of this study.

This survey was performed as an experimental and practical study. It was carried out in Damghan district of Semnan province during 2008. Sand flies were collected from indoors and outdoors using sticky traps twice in month from early April to late November.

Totally 6110 sand flies (6 species of Phlebotomus and 2 species of Sergentomyia) were collected and identified from indoors (2146) and outdoors (3964). Activity of sand flies were started in April and ended in October with two peaks in May and September. The dominant species were Phlebotomus papatasi.

High density of Phlebotomus papatasi as the dominant specimen indicates that, this species can be the main vector of disease. Collection of P. caucasicus, P.mongolensis and P. ansarii from rodent burrow show that they can play as the secondary role to transmitting of disease among rodent reservoirs. Dissection of sand flies for finding of parasites and following of them by molecular methods is necessary to confirmation of proven vector(s). Control of rodents, environmental sanitary as well as personal protections and insecticide impregnated bed nets was suggested to prevention of disease.