KARACHI, Aug 25: Leishmaniasis, a skin disease, is creeping towards Karachi after infecting hundreds of people in Dadu, Larkana and Ghotki in the interior of Sindh. A few cases have been reported from Orangi Town and the areas close to Balochistan border.

This was stated by dermatologists during the Continuing Medical Education programme organized at the Institute of Skin Diseases Karachi on Wednesday. Dr Manzoor Memon said that Leishmaniasis parasite had travelled from Quetta and Lasbella to Dadu, Larkana, Ghotki and Jacobabad areas of Sindh.

"Now the cases are being reported even in those people who did not travel out of Karachi since the last few years, especially those living in Orangi Town," he said. The head of PNS Shifa dermatology department, Dr Khawar Saleem, said that Leishmaniasis parasite often took infection from rats and dogs.

He said that Larkana and Dadu were high-risk areas in Sindh and urged for early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. He urged the authorities concerned to make arrangements for ground or aerial spray in high risk areas.

Besides, he said, sewerage ponds should be filled and sanitation must be improved to check the disease before it spreads to other areas of Karachi. He said that vaccination was the best treatment. In this regard, he spoke of the study on efficacy of the vaccine, which was expected to be completed next year.

Dr Khawar said that children and visitors were more vulnerable to this disease in Balochistan. ISDK Director Dr Ghulam Sarwar Channa expressed hope that the CME programme would continue to benefit doctors and general public and assured all cooperation in eradicating skin diseases from the province. Prof Shaista Affandi of the Civil Hospital also spoke. - PPI