PESHAWAR, April 29: At least 2,000 people have been found infected by leishmaniasis virus in Hangu district. Most of the affected people are Afghan refugees. According to the Executive District Officer (health) of Hangu, doctors in different health facilities in the district have found 2,000 people afflicted with the skin disease.

In a letter to the health department, the EDO said 30 per cent of patients were local people while the rest were Afghan refugees. Citing a report of the International Rescue Committee in Hangu, the EDO urged the authorities to take steps for the treatment of affected people and put in place preventive measures to check the spread of virus.

The letter said that the worst affected localities were Kahi, Mohammad Khuja, Thall, Dalan, Darsamand, Doaba, Kotki and Chamba Gul where patients required immediate treatment.

It said Hangu district was more vulnerable to the disease because of presence of a large number of Afghan refugees who could spread the virus and cause an outbreak in the area.

The letter said the district had recorded 3,074 patients in 2003 and 1,543 in 2004.

The EDO said last year the district nazim was requested to allocate Rs2 million for the purchase of drugs, but no money was provided.