Leishmaniasis in Libya

On 11 October, the hospital in Tawergha reported that 150 persons with leishmaniasis arrived at the hospital seeking treatment. Apparently, the number of affected people in the city is increasing with at least 500 cases reported since July 2019.

Advice

Depending on the type of infection, leishmaniasis causes skin ulcers that do not heal or more serious damage to internal organs. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies which can transmit the parasite that causes this disease. Travellers to places where this infection occurs can reduce their risk of exposure to leishmaniasis by taking all necessary precautions to avoid sandfly bites.