Background:
Leishmaniasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world including Iran. The disease is mainly cutaneous and is transmitted by sand flies. Despite the care provided in recent decades, the disease is still on the rise in the country as well as
South Khorasan province. The study of epidemiology and the relevant factors affecting the disease has a very important role in the care and control of the disease.Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the epidemiology of 340 patients with leishmaniasis in the province during 2014-2018.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited patients diagnosed with and treated for leishmaniasis between 2014 and 2018. The collected data were statistically analyzed in SPSS v. 22.Results: Temporal analysis showed that the highest incidence of the disease was in October (14%) and November (13%) and the lowest rate in April (5%) and July (5%). 58% of patients inhabited in the urban and 42% in the rural areas. The age group of 15-29 years with 29% had the highest and the age group above 75 years with 2% had the least patients. 59% of patients were male and 41% were female. 99% of patients are Iranian and 1% are Afghan. 79% of patients had traveled. 78% of the patients had dry wounds which might be urban form due to Leishmania tropica.Conclusion: Due to the travel history of most patients during the year before incidence, it seems that the cases are mainly imported and indigenous transmission is not or weekly occurred in the region. However more studies are necessary to elucidate the situation. Also it is necessary to investigate the vector/s species transmit/s and the parasite species cycling in the province. It is recommended to intensify the care and apply control program in order to prevent the establishment of the disease in the region.