Evaluation of the national Kala-Azar control program in Daiyla Governorate for the years 2002 and 2003

Visceral leishmaniasis has been recognized as an important public health problem in Iraq for the last 50 years, particularly in middle and southern governorates. This study was conducted to evaluate the national control program in reducing the number of Kala-azar cases in Diyala governorate (which is a known endemic focus in Iraq), for the years 2002 and 2003. Data were collected from the communicable diseases control unit in Diyala governorate, where all cases of leishmaniasis are recorded on monthly bases. Analysis of data at district level for the years 2002 and 2002 regarding the number of Kala-azar cases and application of active control measures was carried out. The results of this study revealed that Kala-azar incidence rates in Diyala governorate for the years2002 and 2003 were 111.9 and 63.3 per 100000 in children less than five years, respectively .The number of Kala-azar cases recorded for the year 2003 was 154 cases ,which constitute 6.04% of the total cases in Iraq; this included 51 cases (33.1%)from areas where active control measures (spraying and rodents control campaign)were applied previously ,and 103 cases (66.9%)from areas where no such control measures were applied. The ratio of reported cases from areas without to areas with active control programs was higher than 1:1 in Diyala governorate at the districts