A FLESH-eating parasite may be taking hold in parts of the US, health officials warn.
Leishmania parasites, which are spread by sandflies, have been spotted in southern states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The parasites cause leishmaniasis — a tropical disease that previously had only been seen almost exclusively in travellers returning to the country from tropical regions.
Experts have spotted the parasites in cases that are not “imported” and a particular strain that is local to the affected area for the first time.
Dr Mary Kamb, of the CDC, said: “There have been previous indications of local transmission based on a small number of case reports.
“Now, we have a distinct genetic fingerprint from a relatively large cluster, providing further evidence that leishmaniasis may be well-established in some parts of the US.
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“While most of these infections were in people living in Texas, sand flies that can transmit leishmaniasis are found in many parts of the country and especially in the southern US.”
Leishmaniasis is a disease that affects between 700,000 and 1million people every year, according to the World Health Organization.
There are three main types, including cutaneous leishmaniasis, which is the most common and causes skin sores that can turn into painful ulcers that can leave lifelong scars.
Visceral leishmaniasis is less common but can be life threatening, affecting vital organs like the spleen, liver and bone marrow.
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Mucosal leishmaniasis is the least common and causes skin sores as well as sores in the nose, mouth or throat.
There are no vaccines for the disease and experts recommend you minimise exposure to sand flies by using repellents and limiting outdoor time in affected areas.
Sores usually heal over time but severe cases of visceral leishmaniasis require treatment.
The latest study, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, analysed tissue samples from more than 2,000 cases in the US.
The infections came between 2005 and 2019.
While most of the cases were from patients who had travelled back to the US from places where leishmaniasis is common, 86 were from patients with no travel history.
Researchers also spotted a unique strain of leishmaniasis that is local to Texas, they said.
Dr Vitaliano Cama, of the CDC, said: “A number of factors might be contributing to the increasing number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases sent to CDC for testing.
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“Among these is the speculation that changes in climate conditions may lead to suitable environments for sand fly survival and reproduction, and that could enable the transmission of leishmaniasis to emerge in new areas.
“There are still a lot of questions about where this disease is going and why.”
What are the types of leishmaniasis and their symptoms?
There are 3 main forms of the disease:
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is fatal if left untreated in over 95% of cases. It is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. Most cases occur in Brazil, east Africa and India. An estimated 50 000 to 90 000 new cases of VL occur worldwide annually, with only 25–45% reported to WHO. It has outbreak and mortality potential.
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form and causes skin lesions, mainly ulcers, on exposed parts of the body. These can leave life-long scars and cause serious disability or stigma. About 95% of CL cases occur in the Americas, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and central Asia. It is estimated that 600 000 to 1 million new cases occur worldwide annually but only around 200 000 are reported to WHO.
- Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis leads to partial or total destruction of mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat. Over 90% of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis cases occur in Bolivia (the Plurinational State of), Brazil, Ethiopia and Peru.
Source: The World Health Organization
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