What Are the Causes of Leishmaniasis and How Is It Transmitted?
Leishmaniasis is a condition that occurs due to protozoan parasites from the Leishmania species. You contract the diseases by an infected sand fly. The parasite is commonly found inside the female sand fly. Studies show that the insect is most active in humid environments during warm months and at night, from dusk to dawn. Domestic animals, like dogs are usually carriers of the parasite. The disease may be transmitted from animal to sand fly to human.
Humans can also transfer the parasite from one person to another via blood transfusion or shared needles. In some cases, the parasites can also be trans muffin human to sand fly to human.
Leishmaniasis is transmitted via the bite of the female phlebotomine sand flies. When the sand fly bites an infected person, the next person it bites will be infected with the parasite. You can contract the disease through other less common ways, such as:
- Through sharing needles.
- Through a blood transfusion.
- From a pregnant person to the fetus.