[Epizootiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the oasal zone of Tashauz Province, Turkmen SSR].

Six species of mosquitoes were recorded from the settlements in the oasis zone of Turkmenia. In all the settlements Ph. papatasi was prevalent, in the burrows of foxes and great gerbils Ph. papatasi was most abundant and in the burrows of midday gerbils Ser. arpaklensis was most frequently encountered. Epizootological investigations testify to the possible cases of cutaneous leishmaniosis within the oasis that is associated with intraoasis natural foci of zoonosal cutaneous leishmaniosis. These foci are potentially dangerous. In years of mass reproduction of gerbils and other wild animals, infection reservoirs, at high abundance of mosquitoes a danger of infection of population with cutaneous leishmaniosis cap arise in such zones.