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
Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance
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Seek care if you experience severe dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days. Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals should seek care earlier.
Emergency symptoms: Severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down for 12 or more hours, or neurological symptoms require emergency care.
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Trusted information from leading health organizations
Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
View CDC Resources →Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
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
No confirmed cases reported in Kansas yet. Here are the latest Leishmaniasis reports from our global surveillance network.
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 o…
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 …
This event envelope contains reports on leishmaniasis in Pakistan. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=79e00aa6-11e8-41ce-b8ee-4d7aaa1d40e1)
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 li…
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…
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 co…
This event envelope contains reports on leishmaniasis/leishmaniosis in Syria. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=1184fb51-4322-40ca-9503-df67c61116b6)
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