Kala-azar found amongst children at Zam Zam camp

15/01/2012 23:44

Dozens of children at Zam Zam internally displaced persons camp near EL Fasher in North Darfur are reported to be carrying Kala-azar, a parasitic disease also known as leishmaniasis. Health care activists at the camp said they registered 93 cases amongst children to the Ministry of Health in El Fasher. The Ministry dispatched an investigation team to the camp a week ago. An activist said to Radio Dabanga the team visited one nursery out of 41 nurseries in the area and found 16 cases of the disease. They also visited two schools out of 30 and found 120 cases. Following the assessment visit last week the Ministry said it would send a medical team to treat those children with the disease but has until now failed to do so. The activist appealed to the Ministry and aid organizations to move quickly and help these children before the situation deteriorates further.

Dozens of children at Zam Zam internally displaced persons camp near EL Fasher in North Darfur are reported to be carrying Kala-azar, a parasitic disease also known as leishmaniasis.

Health care activists at the camp said they registered 93 cases amongst children to the Ministry of Health in El Fasher.

The Ministry dispatched an investigation team to the camp a week ago.

An activist said to Radio Dabanga the team visited one nursery out of 41 nurseries in the area and found 16 cases of the disease. They also visited two schools out of 30 and found 120 cases.

Following the assessment visit last week the Ministry said it would send a medical team to treat those children with the disease but has until now failed to do so.

The activist appealed to the Ministry and aid organizations to move quickly and help these children before the situation deteriorates further.