A Review of the Status of Leishmaniasis in Pakistan from 1960 – 1986

Visceral leishmaniasis was first reported in Pakistan from Baltistan in the Northern Areas (Ahmed, Burney and Wazir, 1960), and following strict control measures it was controlled in that area. Nevertheless the disease reappeared in that area in the mid seventies (Burney et al, 1979), and it was once again brought under control by active measures. Since the beginning of the eighties cases started appearing again not only from the previously known areas, but also from the neighbouring regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Northern Punjab and from the adjacent NWFP regions. Cases have now been reported from areas of Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad and Poonch (Azad Jammu and Kashmir), Gujar Khan and Muree (Punjab), Terbella and Abbottabad (NWFP)