Last Updated on October 30, 2023
October 30th, 2023 — Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease once considered exclusive to travelers, is now being found in U.S. residents who have never traveled outside the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by sand flies. It affects millions of people worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently reported that some patients in the US have been infected with leishmaniasis without traveling outside the country.
The CDC conducted a genetic analysis of tissue samples from these patients and found that they were infected by the same species of Leishmania parasite. The CDC presented its findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
This discovery raises concerns about the possibility of leishmaniasis becoming endemic, or regularly occurring, in some parts of the US, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Florida.
Sand flies capable of carrying the parasite can be found in warm, rural, and forested areas. The CDC has received anecdotal reports of leishmaniasis in Florida, though the cases have not been confirmed.
Past studies have also noted occasional cases among non-travelers in southeast Oklahoma and Arizona.
Leishmaniasis is not just a traveler’s disease anymore. It is a public health concern that may affect more people in the US in the future. The CDC warns people to be aware of the risk and protect themselves from sand fly bites.
What are sand flies?
Sand flies are tiny tan flies that are about the quarter of the size of a mosquito. They live in warm areas, usually those that are rural and forested. They are most active at night, and they are so small that they can slip through ordinary mosquito nets on tents or window screens.
Sand flies feed on blood to produce eggs, and they can transmit various diseases to humans and animals.
One of the diseases that sand flies can transmit is leishmaniasis, which is caused by a parasite called Leishmania.
There are different types of Leishmania parasites that can cause different forms of leishmaniasis, depending on the location and severity of the infection.
The most common form is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which affects the skin and causes ulcers and permanent scars. Some more severe forms can affect internal organs and be fatal if left untreated.
Sand flies can also transmit other diseases, such as bartonellosis, pappataci fever, sand fly fever, and visceral leishmaniasis. Some of these diseases can cause fever, headache, muscle pain, anemia, and enlarged spleen and liver.
How to prevent sand fly bites?
The best way to prevent sand fly bites is to avoid exposure to sand flies. This can be done by following these tips:
- Wear long sleeves or insect repellent when spending time outdoors.
- Avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when sand flies are most active.
- Stay away from areas where sand flies breed, such as animal burrows, rodent nests, cracks in walls, piles of rubbish, and moist soil.
- Use fine mesh screens on windows and doors to keep sand flies out of your home.
- Use bed nets treated with insecticide to protect yourself while sleeping.
- Keep your pets indoors or treat them with insect repellent to prevent them from being bitten by sand flies.
How to diagnose and treat leishmaniasis?
If you suspect that you have been bitten by a sand fly and have symptoms of leishmaniasis, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Leishmaniasis can be diagnosed by taking a sample of blood or tissue from the affected area and testing it for the presence of Leishmania parasites. The diagnosis can also be confirmed by examining the sample under a microscope or using molecular techniques.
The treatment for leishmaniasis depends on the type and severity of the infection. Some drugs can help control the infection by killing the parasites or boosting the immune system.
However, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for leishmaniasis, and some drugs may have serious side effects or be ineffective against some strains of parasites. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any medication for leishmaniasis.
The treatment for leishmaniasis may also involve wound care, pain relief, nutritional support, and cosmetic surgery to repair scars or deformities caused by the infection.
How widespread is leishmaniasis in the US and the world?
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 700 000 to 1 million new cases of leishmaniasis each year, and about 20 000 to 30 000 deaths.
Leishmaniasis is most common in parts of Africa, Brazil, and the eastern Mediterranean region, such as Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. However, leishmaniasis can also occur in other regions, such as Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
In the US, leishmaniasis is rare and mostly associated with international travel. However, the CDC has reported that some patients in the US have been infected with leishmaniasis without traveling outside the country.
The CDC believes that leishmaniasis may be endemic, or regularly occurring, in some parts of the US, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Florida. The CDC has received anecdotal reports of leishmaniasis in Florida, though the cases have not been confirmed. Past studies have also noted occasional cases among non-travelers in southeast Oklahoma and Arizona.
The exact number of leishmaniasis cases in the US is unknown, as there is no national surveillance system for the disease. Texas is the only state that requires doctors to report leishmaniasis cases to the state health department, which makes it difficult to make estimates.
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by sand flies. It can cause serious health problems and even death if left untreated. The CDC has reported that some patients in the US have been infected with leishmaniasis without traveling outside the country.
This suggests that the disease may be endemic in some parts of the US, where sand flies are present. The CDC warns people to be aware of the risk and protect themselves from sand fly bites.
The CDC also urges travelers to take precautions when visiting areas where leishmaniasis is common. Leishmaniasis can be diagnosed and treated with drugs, but prevention is the best strategy to avoid the infection.
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