Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in the highlands of Ethiopia. In Ethiopia and Kenya highlands, L.aethopica is the known causative agent of the disease. The aim of this study was to prove the existence of active transmission of cutaneous leishamniasis in selected localities of Sodo district of Gurage zone and to document sand fly species which are potentially capable of transmitting the disease in the study area. Active case finding surveys were conducted in rular villages of 2 localities, Kela and Bui, in Sodo district of Gurage Zone. During the surveys conducted in April – November 2018, a total of 26 cases with 6 active and 20 healed skin lesions were identified. Colonies of rock hyraxes were documented in the vicinities of the 2 localities. Based on sandfly species composition and proximity of resting sites to human settlements, Phlebotomus longipes is suspected to be the vector of the disease in our study area.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Phelobotmus longipes, Leishamniasis, Sodo District