Leishmaniasis: A forgotten disease among neglected people

Abstract

Although leishmaniasis is almost unknown in North America, it is an endemic disease to more than 80 countries with a global incidence of 1.5 – 2 million cases each year. In the last decade there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of leishmaniasis in the few countries with previously high rates of infection. There were also hundreds of confirmed cases in the United States, most in military personnel whom had returned from Iraq. With more soldiers travelling to Afghanistan, increased cases will likely return to the United States bringing a need for domestic public health to better understand this disease. In this article we review the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentations, pschycosocial impact, and methods of treatment and prevention of the disease.