Health authorities set off alarms after the confirmation of two cases of this disease in the south of the region
In recent days, health authorities set off alarms about the presence of leishmaniasis in the Yucatan Peninsula when two cases were detected in the southern part of the Yucatecan territory.
One of the recommendations that was issued is to inform yourself on the subject, so here we mention everything you need to know about the disease.
What is leishmaniasis?
Data from the Federal Ministry of Health indicate that leishmaniasis, also known as “gum ulcer”, is a disease caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus, mainly Leishmania mexicana in the region, which causes cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral forms.
In the Yucatan Peninsula, the localized cutaneous form predominates, beginning with a painless erythematous papule that evolves into an ulcer with a granulous background and raised edges, commonly in the ear, nose,
or extremities.
Mucocutaneous cancer destroys nasal and oral mucous membranes, while visceral mucocutaneous cancer affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, with fever, weight loss, and risk of death without treatment.
Treatment is based on antimonials such as Glucantime, administered intramuscularly or intralesionally, with cure rates of 96% in cases detected early.
How is leishmaniasis spread?
Leishmaniasis is transmitted exclusively by the bite of sandflies (Lutzomyia mosquitoes), nocturnal vectors active at dusk and dawn, which reproduce in moist and dark places with decomposing organic matter.
There is no person-to-person contagion or through contact with animals; Reservoirs are wild and human rodents in endemic areas.
Health experts have pointed out that in the Peninsula, deforestation due to works such as the Mayan Train and agricultural activities alters habitats, increasing exposure in jungles of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and the southern cone of Yucatan.
How can this disease be prevented?
The health authorities of the three states of the Yucatan Peninsula have issued a series of recommendations to prevent leishmaniasis in the face of cases detected in a period of 5 years.
These are:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing, pants, and face masks in jungle areas to cover exposed skin.
- Apply repellents with DEET or IR3535 to skin and clothing, especially at dawn/dusk.
- Installing mosquito nets on beds and wire mesh on doors/windows; cleaning yards, removing leaves, garbage and animal feces to reduce breeding sites.
- In communities, decluttering, fumigating, and monitoring with sanitary brigades. Seek immediate care for non-healing skin lesions.
There is no approved human vaccine, but vector control and early detection are key.
Already in 2024, Yucatan had 23 cases, but the rest of the states did not report cases of this disease.
But in the period from 2022 to 2023, data from health authorities indicate that around 400 cases of leishmaniasis were reported, these linked to workers who worked on the construction of the infrastructure of the Mayan Train.
In 2026, Yucatan reported two cases in the southern part of the state, confirming that they were male.
Source: Posta
