The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or more popularly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been hogging the headlines for months for their notorious violence and cruelty against people of other religions and women. While they are currently waging war and claiming lands in the Middle East, they themselves are also battling another type of threat, and this time, it's a flesh-eating disease.
Various media outlets around the world, especially in Great Britain, have recently reported the growing number of cases of fighters afflicted with leishmaniasis, also referred to as the Rose of Jericho.
According to World Health Organization, leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania. There are about 20 of these species that can cause the illness. Like in mosquito-related diseases, leishmaniasis is spread by a bite from a phlebotomine sandfly that carries the parasite.
This disease can be in three different forms. The most common is cutaneous, in which the skin develops many lesions or sores. They can be easily cured with a specific topical agent. However, the disease can also progress, especially if left untreated, or is categorized as visceral, which is more severe as it affects the vital organs such as the liver and spleen. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) leads to around 20,000 deaths annually.
The disease is very limited in terms of area. Almost 90% of the reported cases are found in only 6 countries.
Based on the medical reports, there are already 100,000 leishmaniasis cases among ISIS fighters, and the number is expected to grow more since the patients are currently not seeking any treatment. Ever since violence has become rampant, many hospitals and clinics have already closed. Plenty of non-profit organizations including Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors without Borders that have been working closely in other countries to fight the same disease have also pulled out their workers. Compounding the problem is the lack of proper hygiene and intense pollution.