Tourists' Knowledge of Leishmaniasis

[Extract] Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by infected sand flies. An ulcerous skin lesion develops at the bite site which, after a number of weeks, is usually self-healing leaving a scar the size of the ulcer. Many overseas tourism destination are located in leishmaniasis endemic areas and numerous tourists have returned home with a scar reminding them of their infection.\ud \ud One parasite species, Leishmania braziliensis, can progress to a mucocutanous stage of the disease where infected individuals develop mucosal lesions in nose and mouth. Without treatment, these lesions can lead to disfiguring tissue destruction. L. braziliensis is endemic in Central and South American rainforests, coinciding with the geographical location of many national parks and hence tourism destinations. While leishmaniasis is a disease of the local population, tourists can be infected, even if they have been in the region for only a very short time. The only prevention from infection is not to be bitten. Therefore, travellers to endemic areas need to be advised of the existence of the disease and the preventive measures. However, the lack of inclusion of such information in travel health advice has been deplored in the literature