Leishmaniasis – Pakistan

Around 150 patients are undergoing long-term treatment of Leishmaniasis by taking 18 to 20 injections every two weeks.

The source of sand fly parasite came from Afghanistan and Balochistan.

The government is aware that the infection could be controlled by killing the female phlebotomine sand fly, though lacking the available resources.

Photo: Leishmania tropica, one of more than 15 species.

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by parasites and spread by the bite of a certain sandfly. The cutaneous form presents with skin ulcers. Risk factors include poverty, malnutrition, deforestation, and urbanization. Leishmaniasis can be partly prevented by sleeping under nets treated with insecticide and fumigation.

Leishmaniasis occurs in some 98 countries and affects about 2 million people yearly, and causes between 20 and 50 thousand deaths.

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