Emerging Tropical Parasite Epidemic Hits U.S., Particularly Texas

The flesh-eating parasite known as Leishmania mexicana, once thought to be a danger primarily for travelers, is now spreading locally through sand flies native to the southern United States, according to a new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The parasite causes skin sores that can lead to long-term scarring, and there is "low certainty" about the effectiveness of available treatments. The parasite appears to be endemic in Texas and some southern border states, raising concerns about its spread. Additionally, there are worries that a deadlier cousin, Leishmania infantum, could also gain a foothold in the U.S., particularly through dogs.