The sandfly strikes: Skin disease leishmaniasis spreads across Upper Dir

Medical facilities fall short with a much wider outbreak this year affecting several UCs


Ahmadul Haq October 17, 2014

UPPER DIR:


The skin disease leishmaniasis has this time surfaced in more than one union council (UC) of Upper Dir and has already turned into an epidemic in a span of two to three weeks.


Talking to The Express Tribune, Abdullah Shah said leishmaniasis, locally known as ‘kalusari dana’, has been diagnosed in a large number of people in the district over the last few weeks. Shah was the former focal person for leishmaniasis in Upper Dir for the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and is a medical technician at a Category D hospital in Wari.



He said the disease spreads via the female sandfly; “the affected people have lesions on their face, arms and legs.” According to the World Health Organization, poverty and malnutrition play a significant role in the prognosis of the skin disease.

Shah said in 2009-10 the disease only spread in Wari UC’s areas—Kas, Bandaow, and Shang Tatogram. With ICRC teams present in the area, it was possible to control the outbreak by treating what were estimated to be around 500 patients, he added.

This time, however, the disease is not restricted to just one UC but is spreading to other UCs such as Chaper, Sandal, Urban Wari, Urban Dir, Bibiwar, Barwal and Kohistan. “At least 40 to 50 patients of all ages have been coming on a daily basis for treatment, especially women,” he said. But no particular arrangements have been made for leishmaniasis in Upper Dir as yet and there is no current estimate about the number infected.

According to Upper Dir DHO Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, officials are still collecting data of the patients with the skin disease across the district.

Hospitalised patients have been prescribed Glucantim injections, priced at Rs700 each, which they are supposed to take for 21 consecutive days, making it an expensive treatment.

Two patients Kalsoom and Akhtar Zeb along with others have asked the government to provide them with treatment. Another patient named Rabia told The Express Tribune the disease will leave marks on their faces, which will also cause psychological trauma. However, according to Ahmad the scars will fade after the treatment is properly completed.

In an outbreak in February 2013, 1,300 cases were reported from Khyber Agency.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2014.

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