Leishmaniasis Outbreak in Shabqadar, Federally-Administered Tribal Area, Pakistan

A total of 309 people have been treated in the Mohmand Agency for leishmania infections. Health authorities have begun an anti-leishmania drive to stop the epidemic from spreading.

Advice

Depending on the type of infection, leishmaniasis causes skin ulcers that do not heal or more serious damage to internal organs. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies which can transmit the parasite that causes this disease. Travellers to places where this infection occurs can reduce their risk of exposure to leishmaniasis by taking all necessary precautions to avoid sand fly bites.