Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasites, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female sandflies. It primarily affects people in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The disease manifests in several forms, ranging from skin lesions to severe, potentially fatal internal organ damage.
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Evidence of Leishmaniasis has been found in ancient human remains dating back thousands of years. The visceral form, Kala-azar, was clinically described by William Leishman in 1903, and the parasite was named after him. Historically, it has been a significant health challenge in regions with military conflicts, impacting troop health.
Leishmaniasis is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sandfly. These sandflies become infected by feeding on an infected human or animal (such as rodents or dogs) and then transmit the *Leishmania* parasites to a new host during a subsequent blood meal. Direct human-to-human transmission is rare, but vertical transmission (mother to child) and shared needle transmission have been reported.
Contagious Period: Varies by disease
6 countries with reported activity. Updated from real-time surveillance data.
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MANDERA (Kenya), Feb 9 -- For nearly a year, repeated misdiagnoses of the deadly kala-azar disease left 60-year-old Harada Hussein Abdirahman's health deteriorating, as an outbreak in Kenya's arid regions claimed a record number of lives. Kala-azar is spread by sandflies and is one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases, with a fatality rate of 95 percent if untreated, causing fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. Cases of kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, have spiked in Kenya, from 1,575 in 2024 to 3,577 in 2025, according to the health ministry. It is spreading to previously untouched regions and becoming endemic, driven by changing climatic conditions and expanding human settlements, say health officials, with millions potentially at risk...
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Costa Rica has confirmed its first-ever locally acquired Leishmania infantum infections in dogs, marking a transition from sporadic importation events to an established domestic transmission cycle. The finding is concentrated in Guanacaste and San José, involves both symptomatic and asymptomatic reservoir animals, and carries direct implications for human visceral leishmaniasis risk given the presence of competent sandfly vectors. Surveillance infrastructure gaps — including the absence of an approved national CVL protocol and limited routine canine screening — underscore the urgency of a coordinated, evidence-based public health response.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
This event envelope contains reports on leishmaniasis in Pakistan.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
The Canary Islands, Spain, are experiencing a confirmed epidemiological transition, with autochthonous (locally acquired) Leishmania infantum transmission now established in the canine population across the archipelago for the first time on record. The extent of spread is likely underestimated due to historically low clinical suspicion, and the pathogen's zoonotic potential poses a growing risk to human health, particularly for immunocompromised residents and tourists. Formal coordination between researchers and health authorities is planned for September 2026, but the active transmission season and the absence of mandatory surveillance infrastructure on the islands make early intervention critical.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Canada has shared a travel advisory update for popular destinations such as Italy, Spain, Greece, China, and India. On Wednesday, the Government of Canada updated its travel advisory, warning tourists of potential health risks when travelling to Italy, Spain, India, Greece, China, and other destinations. The advisory highlights the risk of visceral leishmaniasis, a rare but potentially serious disease. Visceral leishmaniasis is one of three types of leishmaniasis, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The three types include: cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (also called mucosal leishmaniasis), and visceral leishmaniasis. Cutaneous leishmaniasis affects the skin and is the most common, and it can sometimes heal on its own. In extreme cases, mucocutaneo...
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The March break travel season has come to an end, but some Canadians enjoy a vacation during off-peak times. There are a few deals out there for travellers this spring, but people may want to take note of an insect-borne disease spreading in some tourist countries. The warning comes on Canada's Travel Advice and Advisories website. The advisory page helps travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside the country. An update for Spain, Italy and Morocco includes an advisory on visceral leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis, also called kala azar, is a low for most travellers, the advisory states. The infection spreads through the bite of an infected sandfly. Symptoms can appear weeks or months after infection and may include fever, weight loss, an enlarged liver or spleen, and...
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This event envelope contains reports on leishmaniasis/leishmaniosis in Syria.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
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Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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View WHO Resources →Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
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