"Rapid Spread of Disfiguring Tropical Disease Alarms CDC Scientists in the US"

The CDC has discovered evidence of a unique strain of cutaneous leishmaniasis in U.S. residents with no travel history, indicating local transmission of the disease by domestic sandflies. This raises concerns that the more severe visceral leishmaniasis could establish in U.S. sandflies through imported dogs carrying the pathogen. Genetic analysis revealed a distinct genetic fingerprint of the disease in non-travelers, suggesting a locally derived strain. Cutaneous leishmaniasis can cause disfiguring scars and is mainly found in low-income countries. The CDC hopes that by identifying the emergence of locally acquired cases, it will be easier to detect the disease in new areas. Additionally, there is growing concern that imported dogs could introduce the life-threatening visceral leishmaniasis to domestic sandfly populations.