Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the endemic parasitic diseases in central Iran. The rural type of this disease is transmitted from rodents to humans by Phlebotomus papatasi. This study aims to investigate the role of vegetation in the existence of rodents in the study area. Materials and Methods: The current descriptive-analytical study investigates prevalence of leishmaniasis in the Esfandabad Abarkooh City from 2019 to 2020. ArcGIS 10.2.2 and the layer overlay technique were used to examine effects of vegetation on the development of rodent activity, being regarded as leishmania reservoirs Results: A total of 20 and 23 cases of leishmaniasis were diagnosed in 2019 and in the first seven months of 2020, respectively. The findings revealed that the primary vegetation of the Esfandabad Abarkooh City included two species of Atriplex and pistachios. The layer overlay technique and the areas containing rodent nests showed that Atriplex encompassed 81.45% of the nests, and only 0.37% of the active nests were found in pistachio fields. Conclusion: In addition to preventing soil erosion, pistachio cultivation has a significant role in reducing rodent activity in the region. In addition, it positively impacts the residents' economy through its positive role in sustainable development in the region.