Several Cases of Leishmaniasis Reported in As-Suwayda, All Imported
Dr. Emile Hneidi, Head of the Leishmaniasis and Parasitic Diseases Control Program and the Communicable and Chronic Diseases Division in As-Suwayda, southeast of Damascus, confirmed the registration of 19 new cases of leishmaniasis, all of which are imported with no local infections reported.
He highlighted that environmental factors, such as the accumulation of garbage, stagnant water, and stray dogs carrying the disease, contribute to its spread. Dr. Hneidi emphasized the importance of collaboration between service institutions and municipalities to combat these issues.
In an interview with the Syrian Al-Watan newspaper, he also affirmed that the Health Directorate in As-Suwayda provides free diagnostic and treatment services at the specialized Leishmaniasis Control Center.
It is worth noting that cutaneous leishmaniasis causes ulcers on exposed areas of the skin, which can persist for months and, in some cases, even years. Ulcers may appear long after infection, especially in cases of weakened immunity. The condition starts as small bumps and develops into ulcerative wounds with raised edges and a depressed center, often covered by a thin crust. While the ulcers are usually painless, they can become painful if they become infected with bacteria or are located near a joint. After healing, they typically leave atrophic scars.
