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The Sandfly is the main vector for this pathogen. It is indigenous to Central and South America, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.

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The bite of the fly is what sets the infection in motion and the timeline of developing Leishmania speeds up.

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This is the parasitic protozoa that causes leishmania which is transported to the human host by the vector through blood feedings.

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Those infected with Leishmania will often develop large volcano-like craters at the infected site. These can be either painful or painless.

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Other symptoms of Leishmania include weight loss, fever that lasts for weeks, weakness, an enlarged spleen and liver, decreased production of blood cells, and bleeding.

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Risk factors for this disease mainly involve location and whether or not famine and malnutrition are a problem to the local community.

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There are drugs on the market that are used to treat this condition. There is an antiparasitic drug called Amphotericin B (Ambisome) which is meant to kill the parasite with minimal damage. There are cases where scarring has been present due to the level of infection.

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While there is no vaccine, some preventative measures can be taken to avoid infection.

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More ways to avoid infection include wearing protective clothing, using insect repellant, avoid outdoors between dusk and dawn, and BED NETS. It is also advised to do research when traveling to see if sandflies are native to the location you are visiting.

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Practicing these preventative measures and better understanding Leishmania is the best way to battle the disease and help anyone suffering its symptoms.