Peru: Dozens of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases reported in Ancash department
Health officials in Peru are reporting a total of 49 confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis (known locally as uta) in several districts in Ancash department in western Peru.
Officials say that of the 49 people diagnosed in his jurisdiction, 51.9% are under 11 years old.
Quillo (Yungay province) and Pariacoto (Huaraz province) are the hardest hit areas, with 17 and 15 cases, respectively. Other districts with an affected population are Yaután, Cáceres del Perú, Buenavista, Cochabamba and Huanchay.
Faced with this situation, health authorities intensified safety measures, prevention and control in affected districts, including awareness campaigns, fumigation and specialized medical care.
Director of the South Pacific Health Network, Víctor Ávila Acuña said that last April they received two batches of glucantime vials, which have been used to provide treatment to 36 affected residents, being one priority attention to minors. He added that they are waiting for the arrival of a third batch to provide the medication to the remaining patients and those who follow identifying in the coming weeks.
“The first batch was 520 doses of glucantime and the second was 740 doses, which have been intended for patients who did not receive treatment last year, as well as patients identified in the current year,” he stated.
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He explained that, depending on his age and weight, the patient should receive 20 to 60 doses to complete the treatment.
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania, affects at least 12 million people in 96 countries. Peru is one of the most highly endemic countries for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).
Approximately 20 Leishmania species belonging to the subgenera Leishmania (Leishmania), Leishmania (Viannia) and recently, Leishmania (Mundinia) are known to be pathogenic to humans and cause cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral disorders in infected individuals.
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The vector for Leishmaniasis is the Lutzomyia sand fly.