Doctors Warn Kazakhstani Residents of Leishmaniasis Risk from Mosquito Bites

The Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control reminded of the deadly danger of mosquito bites that can transmit leishmaniasis. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

According to medical data, in Kazakhstan, natural foci of visceral leishmaniasis persist in the Kyzylorda region, where the last case was registered in 2016. The most common form remains cutaneous leishmaniasis. Its natural foci are located in the Otrar, Shardara, and Arys districts of the Turkestan region.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The disease can occur in cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral forms. The most dangerous is the visceral form, which affects internal organs.

The main reservoir of infection is wild rodents, and the vectors are mosquitoes. The highest risk of infection occurs during their activity period from late July to October.

The incubation period is usually 2–3 weeks. The cutaneous form manifests as ulcerative skin lesions followed by scarring. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. There is no specific prophylaxis (vaccine) against leishmaniasis.

To protect against the disease, it is recommended to use repellents, mosquito nets, wear closed clothing, and limit outdoor exposure in the evening and at night. It is also important to install protective nets on windows and doors and maintain proper sanitary conditions in areas.

"After visiting endemic areas, if fever, ulcerative skin lesions, or enlarged lymph nodes occur, it is necessary to seek medical help," noted sanitary epidemiologists.

In endemic areas, monitoring, disinsection, and deratization measures are carried out on an ongoing basis to prevent the spread of infection.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote about ticks. Since the start of the season, 2,023 people in Almaty have sought medical help after tick bites, which is 11% more than last year. Almost half of the victims are children under 14. Two cases of tick-borne encephalitis have been recorded, and both patients were not vaccinated.