A Flesh-Eating Parasite Has Been Reportedly Causing Skin Infections In The U.S.

Leishmaniasis is most common in parts of Africa, Brazil and the eastern Mediterranean region including Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

A flesh-eating parasitic disease usually found in people who travel to tropical or subtropical areas, has been detected in the U.S..

The disease is known as Leishmaniasis. It can be contracted though the bite of an infected female sand fly, which consumes blood to produce eggs. Leishmaniasis is most common in parts of Africa, Brazil and the eastern Mediterranean region including Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The CDC believes the disease may be endemic or regularly occurring in Texas and reports have also been filed in Florida, southeast Oklahoma as well as Arizona. The most cases have been reported out of Texas and the CDC shared that until other states develop better reporting procedures, it will be difficult to understand just how widespread it may be in the U.S..

DHEC prevention guidance is the same for all insect-transmitted diseases: wear long sleeves or insect repellant when spending time outdoors.