All five were caused by leishmania braziliensis, a dangerous parasite that is associated with the mucocutaneous form of the disease.

"Her cutaneous is now becoming mucocutaneous, and her nose is becoming infected and the cartilage will continue to disintegrate until it caves in," he said.

Photos of people stricken with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis show women, men and children of all ages, their lips hacked apart, their noses mutilated, their faces cratered.