Search

Phlebotomine sand flies are known as vectors of various pathogens such as Leishmania sp parasite and Toscana virus (TOSV). Leishmaniasis is endemic in Morocco, and TOSV is increasingly reported. Our objective is to analyze the specific composition of the natural population of sand flies in endemic and non endemic area of leishmaniasis in Morocco, thus evaluated their infection by Toscana virus. Sand flies were collected by CDC miniature light traps from seven different localities with an altitude range from 399 m to 1496 m. Synanthropic index was calculated for each sand fly species. The collected female sand flies were grouped in 73 pools, with a maximum of 50 specimens per pool, and submitted to real time PCR for TOSV detection. 8 sand fly species were identified morphologically: 5 of the Phlebotomus genus and 3 of the Sergentomyia genus. Phlebotomus sergenti was the most abundant species comprising of 43,12% of identified sand flies, followed by P. papatasi (18,89%) and P. longicuspis (13,43%). Estimated synanthropic indices for these species were between + 1.1 and + 12.6 suggesting a high preference to anthropogenic environments. A total of 3558 sand fly females were grouped in 73 pools (up to 50 sand flies per pool) for TOSV detection. TOSV was detected in one pool (out of 6 tested) from Lalla Laaziza locality (Chichaoua Province) where P. sergenti was the most abundant sand fly species. We reported the TOSV for the first time in a central Morocco, where cutaneous leishmaniasis by L. tropica is endemic. This result has epidemiological importance for both researchers and health authorities to monitor circulation of TOSV and implement a surveillance plan of sand fly-borne phleboviruses in Morocco. • Toscana virus is circulating in Morocco. • Toscana virus was detected in field-collected sand flies from an active Moroccan focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis. • In the site tested positive for Toscana virus the most abundant species is Phlebotomus sergenti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical modeling is the most scientific technique to understand the evolution of natural phenomena, including the spread of infectious diseases. Therefore, these modeling tools have been widely used in epidemiology for predicting risks and decision-making processes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an effective mathematical model for predicting the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Our mathematical model is performed according to a SIDR model for infectious diseases. Epidemiological data from four countries; Belgium, Morocco, Netherlands and Russia, are used to validate this model. Also, we have evaluated the efficiency of Morocco's Covid-19 countermeasures and simulated the different relaxation plans in order to predict the effects of relaxation countermeasures. In this paper, we developed and validated a new way of data aggregation, modeling and interpretation to predict the spread of Covid-19, evaluate the efficiency of countermeasures and suggest potential scenarios. Our results will be used to keep the spread of Covid-19 under control in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actually, the accumulation of heavy metals by crops irrigated by wastewater has considered a serious environmental problem in many countries such as Morocco, where the wastewater irrigation has become a widespread practice. In this study, we were interested in highly toxic metals such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in water, agricultural soils and crops and their possible risk on human health in the region of Marrakech. The physicochemical parameters pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and organic matter, were determined for the samples. Irrigated water, soil and vegetable samples for Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations and transfer factor from soils to plants (TF) were analyzed, daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were calculated. The irrigated soil was contaminated with Zn (112.71 mg/kg), Cu (17.70 mg/kg), Pb (57.36 mg/kg) and Cd (11.22 mg/kg). The trend of heavy-metal concentrations in all samples was Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. The daily intake (DIM) for Cd and Pb exceeded the permissible limits. The Health Risk Index (HRI) varied from 0.054–0.174 for Zn, 0.031–0.242 for Cu, 2.407–7.973 for Pb and 0–5.059 for Cd. The HRI was >1 for Cd and Pb indicating a potential health risk. Our results revealed high risks indexes, heavy metal contaminated food crops in our study area, and consequently, a great health risk to the local human and animal populations. Thus, preventive measures must be taken to reduce heavy metal pollution of irrigation water and soils to protect both, human and animal health in Marrakech and Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morocco is a country known for its vulnerability of water resources because of its arid and semi-arid climate. Thus, recycled wastewater has been suggested for agricultural activities, but contamination of these wastewaters is a major concern. The current study aims to determine the occurrence of helminth eggs in urban wastewater and to evaluate the removal of these pathogens by two sewage treatment systems: activated sludge and natural lagoons. The samples of wastewater and sludge were collected from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) located in Marrakech and Chichaoua, Morocco. Parasitological identification, according to the Bailenger technique, showed the presence of Nematodes and Cestodes, which are pathogenic to humans and animals and are responsible for helminthiasis. The wastewater and sewage sludge samples from Marrakech carried Ascaris lumbricoïdes , Ancylostoma duodenale , Trichuris trichiura , Capillaria spp., Taenia spp. and Hymenolepis spp., while the samples from Chichaoua carried Ascaris lumbricoïdes , Ancylostoma duodenale , Trichuris trichiura and Capillaria spp. The overall removal efficiency of eggs in the treatment plants ranged from 100% in the WWTP of Marrakech using activate sludge to 94.97% in the WWTP of Chichaoua using natural lagoons. These results were discussed according to health risk and the cost-effectiveness of both wastewater treatment techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe and compare the epidemiological features of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by Leishmania tropica , and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) due to Leishmania major in Morocco. Methods We performed a retrospective study of ZCL and ACL cases reported during the last ten years in Morocco (2004–2013). Epidemiological data were analyzed by using Pearson's correlation method as well as Tukey test and digital maps were produced for incidence repartition calculated by using ArcMap GIS version 10. Results A total of 41 656 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were notified between 2004 and 2013 in Morocco. The mean incidence was 139 cases/100 000 population/10 years and it was significantly higher in 2010. In the spatial context, ACL form was the most common in Morocco, while ZCL was the most important in terms of the number of reported cases. For both forms, the highest incidence occurred in females and children (0–14 years). When analyzed according to the number of cases in each province, Errachidia (8 728 cases) and Azilal (3 523 cases) were the most affected by ZCL and ACL, respectively, while the highest incidence was noted in Zagora (231 cases/100 000 population/10 years) and in Chichaoua (97 cases/100 000 population/10 years), for ZCL and ACL, respectively. Maps of incidence repartition were performed to identify the risk area of ZCL and ACL. Conclusions ZCL and ACL are still major health problems in Morocco. We highlight the spatiotemporal change of cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence through the country during the last ten years and we underline the correlation between ZCL incidence and the percentage of rural population in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]