MIANWALI, Oct 21: The resurgence of an epidemic, “Leishminiasis”, has terrorised the people living in Tabisar and Tola Bangi Khel areas of the district. According to the health department officials, the disease spreads through sand flies found in abundance in the affected areas.

They say the fly stings the exposed parts of the human body, injecting the disease germs into the blood. The skin of the affected part is severely damaged, developing an ulcer-like condition, they add.

The officials say the treatment of the disease is very costly and people, especially those living in the poverty-ridden backward areas of the district, are unable afford it.

It is being feared that the epidemic might spread up to the Afghan refugee camp at Kot Chandna, situated near the affected areas.

It is learnt that the epidemic cases were earlier detected in June this year after which Kot Chandna camp administrator Farooq Hashmi informed Riaz Hameed Chaudhry, Commissioner Afghan Mohajreen (Punjab), of the situation. As a result, the UNHCR donated costly “Glucautine” injections worth one million rupees for the treatment of the affected people in the areas, which were administered to patients by special health department teams under the district government.

A health department official said two years back massive fumigation was conducted by the district government to help check the disease.

At that time, he said, the NWFP health department was also requested to take precautionary measures in the areas adjoining the district to eradicate the disease but no such steps were taken.