400 cases of leishmania in Afghan refugee camps

MIANWALI, March 29: Up to 400 cases of skin disease leishmania have been detected in Afghan refugees' camps in hilly areas at Kot Chandna creating unrest amongst the people, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) survey, Dawn has learnt. The first time the disease was reported three years ago and it is believed the disease carriers are those refugees who travel between Afghanistan and Pakistan. A recent survey by WHO teams has reported the existence of 400 cases in refugee camps of Kot Chandna, Kalabagh, Mohabat Khel, Kalo Khel, Tola Mangali, Chapri and Vinjari. According to WHO health experts, leishmania is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of the sand fly and its symptoms may include: skin sores, which may become a skin ulcer that heals very slowly; ulcers and wearing away (erosion) in the mouth, tongue, gums, lips, nose and inner nose; stuffy nose, runny nose, and nosebleeds; breathing difficulty and swallowing difficulty. Most of the patients are being treated by quakes as there is no lab facility for leishmania patients at the nearest THQ hospitals of Kalabagh and Isakhel. Only the UNHCR provides facility at Kot Chandana Afghan refugee camp. Dr Mohammad Omer Khan of the UNHCR Hospital Afghan Refugee Camp, Kot Chandna, say these parasites are carried by the blood-sucking sand fly and once the parasites are transmitted to humans or animals through a sand fly bite, the affectees' immune system consumes the protozoa with immune cells. A seminar on the disease was also arranged at the Afghan refugee camp by the WHO. Dr Farooq informed the audience that after a sand fly bites, lesions appear on the skin which takes on a grayish hue. He said leishmania was treatable, but its medicines are costly. He, however, said the WHO would provide medicines to all patients. Talking to Dawn, EDO-health Dr Abadat Khan said they had established medical camps at union councils of Chapri, Vinjari, Tola Mangali, Kalabagh, Kot Chandna and Tabisar. He, however, said the Health Department had no medicines for the disease but the WHO would supply the medicines. He said they were arranging mosquito nets and the sand fly would be eradicated through spray in the affected areas. He said they are also arranging special programmes to raise awareness among the people about the disease.