A truck driver from Omuwarama has been diagnosed with leishmaniasis. The 45-year-old has returned from a trip from Rio de Janeiro. According to the Omuwarama Health Department, the driver noticed a slight wound on his left arm and went to get help at the municipality’s emergency room.
After running the tests, he was given a positive diagnosis of the disease. Once the notice was received by the Environment Watch, a team went to the area where the man lived and gave directions to the locals. Environmental Monitoring Coordinator Renata Luzia Ferreira explains that she spoke with the truck driver to investigate the case.
Renata says the disease is serious and is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito known as the “hay gnat”. It is very similar to what happens in cases of dengue fever. Therefore, it is not transmitted to other people.
The last positive case of leishmaniasis was recorded in Omuwarama 10 years ago, when about 30 people became ill.
Health Surveillance Coordination Director Franzimar Moraes points out that prevention is simple and that backyards should be kept clean.
The trend is that if wounds, redness, and strange spots appear on the skin, it is important to seek medical advice.
