Ecuador: Rise in cases of leishmaniasis in 2017

Event

Officials in Ecuador are reporting that there has been a significant rise in reported cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis across the country in 2017. As of December 3, 1002 cases of disease had been reported across the country. In particular, 430 cases were reported in Manabí province as of December 23, 2017, up from 236 total cases in 2016. Health officials have also noted that an increasing number of cases were reported in urban areas, including in Portoviejo.

Context

Leishmaniasis is a disfiguring infection which can generate severe and irreversible scaring on the skin. The disease is spread by bites of infected sand flies and mosquitoes, and cannot be transmitted from human to human. Though no vaccine currently exists, various effective therapeutic treatments are available. Symptoms of the disease include skin lesions and ulcers on an exposed part of the body. Leishmaniasis is easily treatable and curable.

Advice

Individuals in Ecuador are advised to take measures to protect themselves from insect bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room). Individuals showing any of the abovementioned symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical attention.