The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), notorious throughout the world for the acts of terrorism against women and other religions, faces an unseen threat, literally. Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, has been spreading through the ranks of ISIS soldiers in the Middle East. These parasites can be carried and transmitted by sand flies, which are commonly found in sandy environments. It can be further aggravated by poor hygiene and pollution. There are 3 different forms of the disease, with the most common being cutaneous, which may developed into visceral leishmaniasis if left untreated. The other form is mucocutaneous, which causes ulcers in the skin, mouth, and nose. Leishmaniasis causes the skin or mucosal membranes to develop lesions and sores, appearing as it the flesh has been eaten. Left untreated, it may eventually lead to death. According to medical reports, more than 100,000 cases have been reported among ISIS fighters, with numbers expected to climb as they are not seeking medical treatment. In addition, as ISIS is an organization dedicated to terrorism, it is unlikely that they will receive medical attention as well. Luckily for us, the disease only affects a small area, as 90% of all reported cases were found in only 6 countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, South Sudan, and Sudan. References:
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August 2015
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