Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases (Jun 2012)

Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Coumavec® and Zinc Phosphide in Controlling Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Hyperendemic Focus in Central Iran

  • A Veysi,
  • H Vatandoost,
  • MR Yaghoobi-Ershadi,
  • MH Arandian,
  • R Jafari,
  • M Hosseini,
  • H abdoli,
  • Y Rassi,
  • K Heidari,
  • A Sadjadi,
  • R Fadaei,
  • J Ramazanpour,
  • K Aminian,
  • MR Shirzadi,
  • AA Akhavan

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1

Abstract

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Background: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is an increasing health problems in many rural areas of Iran. The aim of this study was to introduce a new alternative rodenticide to control the reservoirs of ZCL, its effect on the vector density and the incidence of the disease in hyperendemic focus of Esfa­han County, central Iran. Methods: The study was carried out from January 2011 to Janu­ary 2012. In intervention areas, rodent control operation was conducted using zinc phosphide or Coumavec®.Active case findings were done by house-to-house visits once every season during 2011–2012. To evaluate the effect of rodent control operation on the vector density, sand flies were collected twice a month using sticky traps. Results: The reduction rate of rodent holes inintervention areas with Coumavec® and zinc phosphide were 48.46% and 58.15% respectively, whereas in control area results showed 6.66 folds intensification.The Incidence of ZCL significantly reduced in the treated areas. Totally, 3200 adult sand flies were collected and identified in the inter­vention and control areas. In the treated area with zinc phosphide, the density of Phlebotomus papatasi was higher in outdoors in contrast with the treated area by Coumavec® which the density of the sand fly was higher in indoors. Conclusion: Both rodenticides were effective on the incidence of ZCL and the population of the reservoirs as well. Coumavec® seems to be effective on the outdoor density of the vector. This combination of rodenticide-insecticide could be a suitable alternative for zinc phosphide while bait shyness or behavioral resistance is occurred.

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