Sandfly Health Dictionary

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Sandfly: From 1 Different Sources

n. a small hairy fly of the widely distributed genus Phlebotomus. Adult sandflies rarely exceed 3 mm in length and have long slender legs. The blood-sucking females of certain species transmit various diseases, including *leishmaniasis, *sandfly fever, and *bartonellosis.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Sandfly Fever

This is a short, sharp fever occurring in many parts of the tropics and subtropics, including most of the Mediterranean littoral. It is due to a virus, called phlebovirus, conveyed by the bite of a small hairy midge or sandfly (Phlebotomus papatasi). The incubation period is 3–7 days.

Symptoms There are headache, feverishness, general sensations like those of INFLUENZA, flushed face and bloodshot eyes, but no signs of CATARRH. The fever passes off in three days, but the patient may take some time to convalesce.

Treatment As there is no specific remedy, PROPHYLAXIS is important. This consists of the spraying of rooms with an insecticide such as GAMMEXANE; the application of insect repellents such as dimethyl phthalate to the exposed parts of the body (e.g. ankles, wrists and face), particularly at sunset; and the use of sandfly nets at night. Once the infection is acquired, treatment consists of rest in bed, light diet and aspirin and codeine.... sandfly fever

Sandfly Bites

Bites of small, long-legged sandflies, found in many warm climates, which can transmit disease to humans.

In tropical and subtropical areas they transmit leishmaniasis.

In parts of Asia and the Mediterranean, they transmit sandfly fever, an influenza-like illness.

In the western Andes, they transmit bartonellosis, different forms of which cause either joint pain and fever, or a rash.... sandfly bites


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