干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

A geographical spread of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) associated with a remarked increase in the incidence of cases has been observed in Tunisia since the 80's. Thus, the annual incidence rose from 5-10 cases before the 70's to an average of 99.6 cases in this last decade. Central Tunisia, rarely involved before the 80's, is at present registering more than 40% of all cases.

This recent epidemiological situation of VL in Tunisia is mainly linked to the mobilization of the hydraulic resources in the arid areas of the central part of the country by the promotion of the construction of dams, hill lakes and wells. In fact, in spite of their benefits on agriculture (about 400000 irrigated ha), thesis water plans induce environmental changes that are generally auspicious to sandflies and dogs, the former as vectors and the latter as reservoirs of the causative agent Leishmania infantum. As a matter of fact, a positive correlation was found between the distribution of hydraulic restraints and the incidence of VL (r'=0,47, p<0,01).