Rare disease grips Anuradhapura, fatal if untreated

• Symptom are red spots infecting the skin, particularly in the face and limbs and areas that are not covered with cloth
• Treatment is applying prescribed lotions, and ointments while taking prescribed tablets

By Dayaratne Embogama - Anuradhapura   

The most number of Leishmaniasis patients in the country  have been reported from the Anuradhapura District, a medical expert  said.   

 Senior Medical Officer of the Anuradhapura Teaching  Hospital Dr. Hema Weerakoon said Leishmaniasis caused by a Leishmania  parasite identified as Phlebotomus Argentipes living in the sand is a skin-disfiguring disease. She said patients had been reported mostly from  Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Matara and Kurunegala Districts.  She said several patients had been reported from Vavuniya and Matale  Districts.   

 She said 736 Leishmaniasis patients had been reported in   Anuradhapura District in 2023 and 490 from January to July, this year.  In the district, cases have mostly been reported from areas such as  Talawa, Mihintale, Padaviya, Medawachchiya, Galenbindunuwewa,  Ipalogama, Nochchiyagama and Thambuttegama. 

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites which are transmitted by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies.  “This sandfly is found mostly in dry climatic areas. It is  a minute creature about four millimetres long and of light brown  colour.  It lives in shrubs, near pools, and in grass. It stings human  beings and animals at night. Red spots infecting the skin, particularly  in the face and limbs and areas that are not covered with cloth, is the  initial symptom. These red spots develop into a rash without  scratching. A patient who contracted this disease would obtain proper  treatment at a dermatology clinic without resorting to self-medication  by applying lotions, and ointments and taking tablets.  

She said a Dermatology Clinic was opened to provide  treatment to the Leishmaniasis patients in view of the increasing rate  of patients.