Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ibb governorate, Yemen: trends and public health challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the neglected tropical diseases that causes a significant public health problem for the public in many endemic nations, including Yemen. There has been an absence of new data on the epidemiology of the CL disease in the Ibb governorate. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological status of CL in the Ibb governorate between January 2019 and June 2024. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on surveillance data registered in the Public Health Office of the Ibb Governorate from January 2019 to June 2023. The required data were gathered and analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Out of 1033 registered cases, a high proportion was observed in males (53.6%), in the age group of 1-10 years (34.75%), in rural areas (80.2%), and Rif Ibb district (15.3%). In addition, the majority of CL cases were recorded at 23.3%, 32.5%, and 18.8% in 2023, winter, and the month of January, respectively. Approximately 73.75% of CL cases had a single lesion, and 57.31% were in the face and nose. The overall incidence rate of CL was documented at 3.28 per 10,000 individuals in Ibb governorate: 3.37 in males, 2.93 in females, 7.89 in > 61-year-olds, and 0.76 in 2023. Additionally, the highest rate of CL was observed in the amid-COVID-19 period, with statistical significance (P ˂ 0.05). CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates that the number of CL cases in the study area continues to increase throughout the study period, and this will remain a major public health concern in Yemen. Therefore, public health interventions should prioritize early diagnosis, vector control, and community education to mitigate CL transmission, particularly in rural areas.