It seems like the anti-refugee rhetoric is a long way from dying out, with new rumours about those fleeing violence in Syria constantly popping up on social media and news sites. But now the fear mongering seemed to have reached fever pitch, with reports circulating that a “flesh-eating” disease might spread across the West by refugees from Syria.
The disease known as leishmaniasis is nothing new, with cases being reported throughout the year. It is caused by the Leishmania parasite, which enters the blood and causes horrible sores to open on the skin.
A number of news reports last week brought it into the spotlight, and propagated the idea that refugees would bring it with them to the US or Europe.
This, of course, led to an anti-refugee Twitter storm.
LEASH maniasis,FLESH EATING DISEASE WILL BE IMPORTED /INCORPORATED BY INCOMING SYRIAN REFUGEES,BIOLOGICAL HUMAN TRANSMISSION,AND SAND FLIES!
— manbeck57 (@manbeck57) December 14, 2015OMG! Stop fast tracking Syrian refugees! https://t.co/N2HBNKUyM8
— aka_Pooch (@aka_Pooch) December 19, 2015DO YOU LIKE TO WELCOM THE REFUGEES? A 'flesh-eating' disease is currently spreading across Syria https://t.co/iaVSzwWmSF #via @ScienceAlert
— Babyboomer (@babyboomer1a1) December 19, 2015
Great more to worry about EXCLUSIVE – Syrian Refugees Bringing Flesh-Eating Disease into U.S.? https://t.co/iXnfiyXgUF
— J coo (@Keeblerqueen) December 21, 2015
But in reality, there is nothing to really worry about, according to the popular science website iflscience.com.
In an article on the site which aims to dispel the rumors, Michael Barrett, Professor of Biochemical Parasitology at the University of Glasgow, notes that the disease is not as much of a risk to those living in countries with developed healthcare systems. He also explains that “it is sandflies, not people, that transmit the disease and though they are found throughout the tropics and subtropics, they can’t survive in colder climates.”
Those with weak immune systems are more likely to be affected, such as those with HIV.
He concludes that “given that leishmaniasis cannot be spread to colder countries and is limited by good healthcare, the particular suggestion that it could be carried by refugees holds no force.”
