The Seasonality of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Although the incidence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia, has decreased over the last decade, it is still a significant health problem. This study tests the hypotheses that there are relationships between climate variables (maximum, mean, and minimum temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity) and this disease in the Asir Region. Temperature was the most important factor associated with CL cases in all Asir and in the highlands of Asir during the summer and beginning of autumn. If the maximum temperature in the previous 2 to 4 months was elevated, there were more cases (P<0.001). Rainfall also plays a role in CL transmission in the lowlands of Asir. There were more cases of CL if rainfall was elevated in the previous 1 to 3 months (P<0.05). Based on these findings and an understanding of how CL disease is affected by climate, it should be possible to design an early warning system using the weather to predict the incidence. Therefore, the results of this study have important implications for policies to reduce this disease in the region.