Leishmaniasis 

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. The parasites are transmitted by the bite of a tiny – only 2-3 mm long – insect vector, the Phlebotomine sand fly.

There are some 500 known Phlebotomine species, but only about 30 have been found to transmit leishmaniasis. Only the female sand fly transmits the parasites.

Leishmaniasis threatens about 350 million men, women and children in 88 countries around the world. As many as 12 million people are believed to be currently infected, with about 1-2 million estimated new cases occurring every year.

The disease can have a wide range of clinical symptoms, which may be cutaneous, mucocutaneous or visceral. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most severe form, in which vital organs of the body are affected.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), because of the difficulties concerning the treatment of leishmaniasis, prevention of infection is of the utmost importance. Preventive measures are aimed at avoiding contact with sand flies and the use of LLINs with ultra-fine mesh that have been impregnated with insecticide.

Bestnet is currently developing and testing new Netprotect^® ultra-fine mesh sizes that are expected to be effective in the control of this disease.