If you are taking steps to minimize insect bites to prevent West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, you’re also already taking steps protect yourself and your horse from a parasitic disease called leishmaniasis. And according to a group of Florida-based veterinarians, this currently uncommon disease has the potential to be seen more frequently in North America.

Leishmania spp. are microscopic parasites (not viruses) spread by female sand flies. After an infected fly bites and transmits the parasite to the horse, the parasite can cause problems on the animal’s skin or spread throughout the body.

"In horses, cutaneous (skin) leishmaniasis usually presents with solitary or multiple nodules that are often ulcerated," explained Sarah Reuss, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. "The ulcers are most frequently noted on the head, ears, legs, and neck. (Currently) leishmaniasis is only infrequently described in any species in Florida, and it usually only occurs in people or animals that have traveled to areas of the world such as the tropics and subtropics."

There are, however, geographical "pockets" throughout North America where leishmaniasis is well-described in fox hounds and humans without a history of travel