Next This disease is present in parts of the Americas. A virus spread by mosquitoes that bite infected animals and possibly humans. The virus can also be transmitted by direct contact with blood, urine or mucus. Symptoms usually last 3-5 days but full recovery may take up to two weeks.
Some patients develop encephalitis with disorientation, convulsions, paralysis, coma and death.
Apply a good insect repellent to all exposed body parts and observe the other usual precautions against mosquitoes as mentioned in the Malaria section. Sexual intercourse and blood transfusions have also been known to transmit the infection. Incubation period is 2-6 months. The different species of the Leishmania genus cause different types of leishmaniasis. The most dangerous form is the visceral one, L. donovani, leading to more severe symptoms such as a dark brown colouring of the skin, headaches, nausea, pain in the limbs and back and a fever which lasts for recurring periods ranging from a couple of days to weeks.