[A newly identified endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Minfeng county of South Xinjiang I. epidemiological survey].

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological status of visceral leishmaniasis in Minfeng county, a newly identified endemic area in south Xinjiang, China.

Methods: Based on a hint of possible existence of patients, a retrospective survey was carried out house by house in Andier Township of the county to find cases with suspected signs/symptoms of the disease in the past 20 years including those died. Meanwhile, a survey on current status was conducted, including physical examination(liver and spleen palpation) to those under 15 years-old, leishmanin skin test and rk39 immunochromatographic strip test for part of the residents.

Results: The investigation covered 313 local residents and revealed no case with present illness but 60 cases with a history of suspected signs/symptoms including 13 deaths, traced back as visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmanin skin test was performed in 171 people with a positive rate of 99.4% and 28 out of 29 suspected cases showed positive (96.6%). rk39 immunochromatographic strip test was conducted in 197 people with a positive rate of 10.2% (20/197) and 19.4% (6/31) in those with a history of suspected signs/symptoms.

Conclusion: The epidemiological investigation indicates that the Andier Township of Minfeng County is an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis.