Key takeaways
- Phlebotomine sandflies are tiny, silent biting insects found across Spain, Portugal, southern France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey.
- They can transmit Leishmania infantum, the parasite behind leishmaniasis, and sandfly-borne viruses such as Toscana virus.
- They are active mainly from dusk to dawn, roughly April to November, with a peak in the warmest months.
- The risk for a typical holidaymaker is low, but simple habits — repellent at dusk, covered skin, fans and screens — cut it further.
- There is no human vaccine, so bite prevention is the main protection.
Sandflies and leishmaniasis rarely make it onto a Mediterranean packing list, yet the region is one of Europe’s main hotspots for both. Here is what the insect is, what the disease looks like, where and when the risk is highest, and the practical steps that make a difference on holiday.
What is a sandfly?
The sandflies that matter for health are phlebotomine sandflies (Phlebotomus species). They are not the same as the biting midges or beach “sand flies” people often complain about on the coast — we cover those in our guide to sand flies and midges on the beach.
- Size: only around 2–3 mm, pale and hairy, with large dark eyes and long legs.
- Sound: silent — unlike mosquitoes, you rarely hear them coming.
- Flight: weak, hopping flight; they stay close to the ground and struggle in wind.
- Who bites: only females, which need blood to produce eggs.
- Where they breed: not in water, but in damp organic debris — cracks in walls, animal shelters, rubble and leaf litter.
Because they are so small, many people only notice sandflies through a cluster of itchy bites on the ankles, legs or face the next morning.
What is leishmaniasis?
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania protozoa. In the Mediterranean, the main species is Leishmania infantum, and domestic dogs are its main reservoir. A sandfly picks up the parasite by biting an infected dog and can pass it on at its next meal.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
The skin form is the more common in travellers. Weeks or even months after the bite, a small painless bump appears and slowly turns into a sore or ulcer that does not heal. It is not dangerous in itself but can leave a scar, so it should be assessed by a doctor.
Visceral leishmaniasis
The internal form affects organs such as the spleen, liver and bone marrow. Symptoms include long-lasting fever, weight loss, fatigue and an enlarged spleen. It is rare in healthy adults but serious, and it is more likely in young children and people with a weakened immune system. It is treatable when diagnosed.
Sandfly fever and Toscana virus
Sandflies also carry phleboviruses. Toscana virus, found in Italy, Spain, France and elsewhere around the Mediterranean, usually causes a short flu-like illness, but it is a recognised cause of summer meningitis in the region.
Where and when is the risk highest?
According to the ECDC, the adult sandfly season in Europe runs from about April to November depending on latitude, with the warmest regions having the longest seasons. Most species bite at dusk and during the night, although they can bite indoors in darkened rooms or in shaded vegetation during the day.
| Factor | Higher risk | Lower risk |
|---|---|---|
| Time of day | Dusk and night | Bright midday |
| Season | June–September | Winter months |
| Setting | Rural villages, gardens with dogs, animal shelters, old stone walls | Windy beaches, high-rise city hotels |
| Activity | Evening dining outdoors, camping, sleeping with windows open | Air-conditioned rooms with closed windows |
| Weather | Warm, still, humid evenings | Wind and cooler nights |
The ECDC also notes that sandflies are slowly expanding northwards, helped by warmer climates and by infected dogs travelling or being rehomed from southern Europe. It is one more sign of how climate change is stretching Europe’s insect season.
How to avoid sandfly bites on holiday
There is no vaccine against leishmaniasis for people, so preventing bites is the key measure. The good news: sandflies are weak fliers with predictable habits, which makes them easier to outsmart than you might think.
- Apply repellent before dusk. Put it on exposed skin — especially ankles, legs, arms, neck and face — before the evening, and reapply as the label directs.
- Cover up in the evening. Light long trousers, socks and long sleeves reduce the skin available to bite.
- Use a fan or air conditioning. Moving air makes it very hard for sandflies to fly and land.
- Choose rooms with fine screens. Sandflies can pass through standard mosquito mesh, so fine-mesh or insecticide-treated nets offer better protection; see mosquito nets vs repellent for how the two work together.
- Sleep higher up. Because they fly low, upper-floor rooms tend to see fewer sandflies than ground-floor ones.
- Keep distance from dogs and animal shelters at night, especially stray dogs in rural areas.
Travelling with your dog
Dogs are far more at risk than people. If your dog comes with you to the Mediterranean, speak to your vet before you travel about repellent collars or spot-ons, a canine leishmaniasis vaccine, and keeping your dog indoors from dusk to dawn.
How incognito® helps
For evening protection on holiday, our Insect Repellent Spray is DEET-free and uses PMD (Citrepel®), a plant-based active from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) — the same class of active that the CDC and ECDC list alongside DEET. It is clinically proven, recommended against mosquitoes and ticks, vegan and biodegradable. Always check the product label for the insects it covers and how often to reapply.
If you are packing for a longer trip, the Elite Traveller Bundle combines the 100 ml spray, a compact 50 ml roll-on and a mineral SPF30 sunblock with insect repellent in one kit. Combine it with the habits above — repellent is one layer, not the whole plan.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor and mention your travel history if, in the weeks or months after a Mediterranean trip, you notice:
- a skin sore, bump or ulcer that does not heal after a few weeks;
- unexplained fever lasting more than a few days, weight loss or night sweats;
- a swollen abdomen or ongoing fatigue;
- severe headache, stiff neck or confusion after summer travel — seek care urgently.
Leishmaniasis is uncommon, so it is often not the first thing doctors think of. Telling them where you travelled helps them order the right tests.
FAQs
Are there sandflies that carry leishmaniasis in Spain, Italy and Greece?
Yes. Phlebotomine sandflies and Leishmania infantum are established across much of the Mediterranean, including Spain, Portugal, southern France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey. The risk for short-stay tourists is low but not zero.
What does a sandfly bite look like?
Usually small, red, very itchy bumps, often in clusters on the ankles, legs or face. They can look like mosquito bites, which is why many people never realise sandflies were involved.
Can a normal mosquito net stop sandflies?
Not always. Sandflies are small enough to pass through standard mosquito mesh, so fine-mesh or insecticide-treated nets, fans and air conditioning give better protection.
Is there a vaccine against leishmaniasis?
There is no vaccine for humans. Vaccines exist for dogs, which is one reason vets in endemic regions recommend them alongside repellent collars.
When are sandflies most active?
Mainly from dusk through the night, during the warm season from roughly April to November. They are less active in wind and in cool weather.
Sources
- WHO — Leishmaniasis fact sheet
- ECDC — Leishmaniasis
- ECDC — Phlebotomine sand flies factsheet
- ECDC — Protective measures against mosquitoes
- EPA — Skin-applied repellent ingredients
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have symptoms after travel, or questions about leishmaniasis, speak to a doctor or travel health clinic.