Leishmaniasis Spreading in the US: Sand Flies Transmit Disfiguring Disease
A significant threat is emerging in warm, rural, and forested regions of the United States. The sand fly, similar to a mosquito but smaller in size, transmits the parasitic disease called leishmaniasis. These tiny blood-sucking insects are most active at night and have the ability to bypass window screens and mosquito nets.
Dr. Mary Kamb, a medical epidemiologist at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has raised concerns about unreported sand fly bites. Recent cases of leishmaniasis have been found in individuals who claim they have not traveled outside the US.
A presentation at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene’s annual conference highlighted the potential for local transmission of leishmaniasis, causing further worry among experts.
After being bitten by a sand fly, leishmaniasis causes small bumps on the skin to develop into ulcerous sores. Although these lesions are not painful, they can leave scars and disfigure the face. In more severe cases, when the liver, spleen, and bone marrow are infected, the disease becomes even more dangerous.
“People could be asymptomatic and not develop anything, but when people are symptomatic, they develop ulcers on their skin, and sometimes it starts like a little tiny volcano with a crater in it,” said Dr. Mary Kamb.
The CDC conducted research primarily in Texas, the only state in the US that requires physicians to report leishmaniasis infections. However, a recent study has revealed locally acquired cases in southeast Oklahoma. Previously, it was believed that leishmaniasis was spread by travelers returning from Mexico, but the recent cases in Americans with no travel history have raised concerns about local transmission.
Leishmaniasis skin infections in non-travelers occur around six times per year in the United States. Yet, this illness remains relatively unknown to the public and medical professionals, despite being classified as an endemic disease by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The expansion of the disease to northern regions is attributed to climate change. Sand flies thrive in higher temperatures, and climate forecasts indicate that this trend will continue.
Controlling the spread of leishmaniasis is challenging due to the nature of sand flies. Unlike mosquitoes, they do not require standing water to reproduce, and they are much smaller in size.
According to the WHO, up to one million individuals are infected with leishmaniasis each year. While Brazil reports the majority of cases in the Americas, infections have also been detected in other Latin American countries. Although most US states do not require leishmaniasis reports, the CDC has seen an increase in requests for help in identifying cases, indicating a growing awareness and concern.
To protect against disease-carrying sand flies in warm and remote areas, the following safety measures are recommended:
– Use insect sprays containing DEET to repel sand flies.
– Apply permethrin to clothes and camping gear for added protection.
– If insect bites result in recurring skin blisters, especially after outdoor activities at night, seek medical attention.
Treatment for leishmaniasis often involves a month-long course of medications, such as amphotericin B, which fights the parasite.
In conclusion, the spread of leishmaniasis through sand fly bites poses a significant public health concern in the US. There is a need for increased awareness and effective measures to control the transmission of this disfiguring disease.
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