Entomological Surveillance and Risk Mapping of Sand Fly-Borne Diseases in Isfahan Province, Iran (2019–2023) Publisher Pubmed



Rahimi S ; Ghasemi A ; Absavaran A ; Khazeni A ; Yousefi S ; Abbasi M
Source: Zoonoses and Public Health Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health concern in Iran and particularly in Isfahan Province. Although numerous studies have determined the phlebotomine sand-fly fauna and CL occurrence in this region, no dedicated investigation of sand fly spatial distribution and Risk mapping has been conducted in recent years. Furthermore, no previous study has systematically assessed leishmaniasis vectors across 19 distinct sites in this province over a continuous five-year period from 2019 to 2023. Therefore, this study conducted comprehensive entomological surveillance to determine sand fly species composition, seasonal activity, and high-risk transmission zones for C in this endemic area. Methods: This retrospective study conducted on sand fly entomological surveillance in 10 counties of Isfahan Province from 2019 to 2023, utilising sticky traps for sand fly collection. Collected specimens were identified morphologically, and species distribution, seasonal activity, and abundance trends were analysed using statistical methods. Spatiotemporal maps were created using GIS tools to assess the geographic patterns of sand fly populations. Results: A total of 17,453 specimens were collected, with Sergentomyia sintoni (48.0%) and Phlebotomus papatasi (30.0%) being the most abundant species. The highest sand fly abundance was recorded in 2022. Seasonal activity patterns varied by species, with S. sintoni and Ph. Papatasi exhibiting bimodal peaks in June and August. The majority of specimens (96.5%) were collected from outdoors, which indicates the exophilic behaviour of sand flies. Conclusions: Our findings establish an essential basis for public health decision-making and support the formulation of targeted, cost-effective, and ecologically responsible interventions to reduce sand fly populations and mitigate the spread of sand fly-borne diseases. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.