Epidemiology of Leishmaniasis

Abstract

A zoonotic illness of importance to the public’s health is leishmaniasis. Leishmania donovani, Leishmania tropica, Leishmania major, Leishmania infantum, Leishmania chagasi, Leishmania mexican, and Leishmania braziliensis are the most recognised and widely distributed leishmania parasite species, and they are also the ones that cause the disease. On every continent and in more than 90 countries, the disease is present, however it appears to be absent from Australia. The disease is spread by Phlebotomus sandflies, and people, rodents, and other domestic animals act as reservoirs and unintentional hosts. Cutaneous leishmaniasis, diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis are the four ways the illness can present. The spread of the disease, as well as its appearance and reemergence, are caused by risk factors include regional warfare and wars, political instability, migration of people, substandard housing, climate, vegetation cover, p7oor socioeconomic standard of life, and lack of access to quality medical care. To eradicate the disease, particularly in poor nations where it is still a threat, there is a need for increased public education, government involvement, proper surveillance, and disease reporting.