Cutaneous leishmaniasis is prevalent in the Al-Hasa Oasis (eastern province of Saudi Arabia). The disease attained epidemic proportions in 1973 and subsequently declined reaching a plateau in the mid-1980s. L. major, widely distributed in the country, has been identified as the species causing zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis with P. papatasi as its vector and Meriones spp. and P. obesus as its reservoir hosts.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis was found commonly on the high plateaux and foothills of the Asir range in the south-west of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

L. tropica was identified from only two foci with P. sergenti as its vector.