Leishmaniasis (cont.)
Could I get leishmaniasis in the United States?
Probably not. It is possible
but very unlikely that you would get leishmaniasis in the United States. Very
rarely, people living in Texas have developed skin sores from cutaneous
leishmaniasis.
No cases of visceral leishmaniasis are known to have been acquired in the
United States.
How is leishmaniasis spread?
Leishmaniasis is spread by the bite of some
types of phlebotomine sand flies. Sand flies become infected by biting an
infected animal (for example, a rodent or dog) or person. Since sand flies do
not make noise when they fly, people may not realize they are present. Sand
flies are very small and may be hard to see; they are only about one-third the
size of typical mosquitoes. Sand flies usually are most active in twilight,
evening, and night-time hours (from dusk to dawn). Sand flies are less active
during the hottest time of the day. However, they will bite if they are
disturbed, such as when a person brushes up against the trunk of a tree where
sand flies are resting. Rarely, leishmaniasis is spread from a pregnant woman to
her baby. Leishmaniasis also can be spread by blood transfusions or contaminated
needles.
Who is at risk for leishmaniasis?
People of all ages are at risk for
leishmaniasis if they live or travel where leishmaniasis is found. Leishmaniasis
usually is more common in rural than urban areas; but it is found in the
outskirts of some cities. The risk for leishmaniasis is highest from dusk to
dawn because this is when sand flies are the most active. All it takes to get
infected is to be bitten by one infected sand fly. This is more likely to happen
the more people are bitten, that is, the more time they spend outside in rural
areas from dusk to dawn. Adventure travelers, Peace Corps volunteers,
missionaries, ornithologists (people who study birds), other people who do
research outdoors at night, and soldiers are examples of people who may have an
increased risk for leishmaniasis (especially cutaneous leishmaniasis).
Next: If I were bitten by an infected sand fly, how quickly would I become sick? »
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