Colombia: Leishmaniasis outbreak in Neiva

Event

At least four cases of leishmaniasis, including one fatality, were reported in the city of Neiva (capital of Huila department) as of April 26, pushing local authorities to issue an alert. Tests carried out on 1000 street dogs (carriers of the disease) in the Comuna Nueve area of the city indicate that some 50 percent are infected.

Context

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease carried by dogs and other mammals and transmitted to humans via sandflies. Various forms of the disease exist but common symptoms include: cough, diarrhea, fever (lasting up to two months), and nausea/vomiting. Leishmaniasis is endemic in Colombia; a total of 164 cases of the disease were reported nationwide in 2015.

Advice

Individuals present in Colombia, particularly in the north, are advised to take measures to protect themselves from sandflies, such as wearing clothing that covers as much skin as possible, using insect repellent on exposed skin as well as under shirt and pant leg openings, and using screens on doors and windows/sleeping in air conditioned rooms or under mosquito netting.