25 leishmaniasis cases reported in Lakki

LAKKI MARWAT: About 25 cases of leishmaniasis have been reported in the district during the previous month, an official said on Saturday.

Speaking at a function at the Rural Health Centre, Ahmadkhel, Dr Hafeezullah, coordinator of Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), said that leishmaniasis cases could increase in coming months if preventive measures were not adopted by local residents especially those living in rural areas.

DHO Dr Abdul Ghaffar Wazir, district councillor Ameer Nawaz Khan, members of village council, elders and villagers also attended the gathering.

Dr Hafeezullah disclosed that at least nine cases had been reported from union council Ahmadkhel. He said that the outbreak of the disease caused by sand flies’ bite in remote and backward localities of UC Ahmadkhel with scattered population was a matter of great concern.

“The Health Department has launched awareness campaign to sensitise communities about using preventive measures so to keep themselves safe from mosquito bites,” he added.  He said that the campaign would be made a success under public private partnership.