Tripoli, Feb 27, 2019 – At least 5,000 cases of a potentially deadly tropical disease have been registered in Libya in the past six months, the country’s health ministry said Wednesday. Leishmaniasis, which is caused by a microscopic parasite spread by sandflies, creates ulcers and disfiguring scars, and one variety can attack internal organs. Qarari said the World Health Organization was providing Libya with treatment from India and that a new batch of medication was due next week. Most of the cases were registered along North African country’s Mediterranean coast west of the capital, Tripoli. Qarari said it first appeared in Libya a century ago and more recently in 2006.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 27, 2019 18:56 UTC