Sandfly Bites & Leishmaniasis: Understanding Transmission and Contagion

Sandfly bites and leishmaniasis are not contagious. Leishmaniasis is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female sandflies. While the sandfly bite itself is not contagious, the parasite can be transmitted from an infected person or animal to an uninfected person or animal through the bite of an infected sandfly. Therefore, leishmaniasis is not directly contagious from person to person or from animal to person.