Distribution of Leishmania

The disease is endemic in the tropics of the America, parts of Asia and tropical Africa north of the equator. Leishmaniasis is also seen in the Mediterranean basin. People in non-endemic areas, such as North America and most European countries, have acquired the infection after visiting endemic areas. The disease has also been reported in veterans of the Gulf war in the Middle east.

Genus Phlebotomus or Lutzomyia The most common vector is the sandfly. It spreads the pathogen when it gets its bloodmeal. The epidemiological patterns of transmission is mostly dependent on the feeding habits of the vector and whether or not a human is involved. The sandfly prefers to feed on domestic animals rather than humans (e.g. foxes and dogs). The problem is that people are closely associated with dogs so the chances of infection increases.

Drug users and even doctors can unknowingly transmit this diesease.