Leishmaniasis

       Imagine something as small as a fly causing a world of problems. The Forcipomya tuthilli, or sand fly, located mainly in sandy places is a carrier for the disease Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a rare infectious disease caused by any of the Leishmania species. Leishmaniasis

                                                                                                                                                                       

affects the skin and sometimes the mucus membranes. usually creating skin sores, and also decrease the number of disease fighting cells. Symptoms may include:

 

•Skin sores, which may become a skin ulcer that heals very slowly
•Ulcers and wearing away (erosion) in the mouth, tongue, gums, lips, nose, and inner nose
•Stuffy nose, runny nose, and nosebleeds
•Breathing difficulty
•Swallowing difficulty

The most common forms are cutaneous  leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores, and visceral leishmaniasis, which affects some of the internal organs of the body (for example, spleen, liver, and bone marrow).

Who is at risk?

People of all ages are at risk for infection, if they live or travel where leishmaniasis is found. Leishmaniasis usually is more common in rural than in urban areas; but it is found in the outskirts of some cities. The risk is highest from dusk to dawn because this is when sand flies generally are the most active.