Leishmaniasis – Pakistan

An outbreak of leishmaniasis, has been reported in the Balochistan province, Pakistan. Over 8000 cases have been reported.

The number of leishmaniasis patients was expected to rise in coming days due to non-availability of preventive injections.

The WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) were contacted for the immediate supply of the Glucontime injections, and they have agreed to extend all-out support.
The health authorities of the districts had been directed to submit the data of patients so that the department could plan effective interventions.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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