Leishmania siamensis is a disease that can develop from sand
flies. Scientists say that this is nothing to be worried about, but it has
drawn quite an interest to whether or not it will eventually become a need to
worry. The University of Florida is studying this specific case because of a
recently diagnosed horse with the disease. Sand flies can be found in the Middle
East, Central America and the Caribbean. All of these of which have a warm
climate and sandy areas. This disease gets spread from the sand flies to dogs,
horses, or humans. 3,000 people have been reported to have the disease in the
U.S. alone, many of whom were returning military from Iraq and Afghanistan. In some
cases, it can be lethal because it can spread into the bone marrow, liver and
spleen. Bodies that are most susceptible to the disease are ones that are under
stress and have a weakened immune system. Pregnant horses are more vulnerable
than those who are not pregnant. Signed of an infected sand fly bite is a red
bump and rash that grows very large.
The number of infected people many seem low in the U.S.,
however it is the second leading parasitic-induced death in humans, after
malaria. Why horses and dogs seem to get this disease and not other animals is
still a question that scientists are trying to find the answer to. This shows
us that there are so many mysterious things about the body. Research is constantly
growing and evolving, but we never seem to catch up with all of the questions
we find along the way. Science seems to be the game of two steps forward and one
step back. A point was made that global warming might eventually play a very
negative role in this Leishmania siamensis problem. As places on earth get
warmer, the more prevalent the flies will be and humans will have to be outside
during these times more often.
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