Sandfly

The bites usually result in a small, intensely itchy bump or welt, the strength of which intensifies over a period of 5-7 days before dissipating.

[1] Moderate relief is achieved with varying success through the application of over-the-counter products such as Benadryl (ingested) or an analgesic cream such as After Bite (applied topically).

Belize and Honduras are notorious in the Caribbean for their sandfly populations and travel pages frequently warn tourists to bring bug spray containing high concentrations of DEET.

Bartonella bacilliformis, the causal agent of Carrion's disease, is transmitted by different members of the genus Lutzomyia.

This disease is restricted to Andean areas of Peru and Ecuador, with historical reports in Southern Colombia.