Visceral leishmaniasis--a study of 38 cases on the basis of geographical distribution

Geographical distribution of thirty-eight cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), who were diagnosed in the department of Pathology, Rawalpindi Medical College and two private laboratories in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is presented. Majority (84.2%) came from Azad Kashmir, especially from areas around Poonch (e.g., Rawlakot-28.9%; Bagh-23.7%; Dirkot-5.3% and Pallandari-2.6%) and areas around Muzaffarabad (e.g., Chakothi-13.2% and Punja Sharif-5.3%). Only two patients (5.3%) belonged to Gilgit agency. Four cases came from villages around Murree, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad. These places are not known as endemic areas of VL. It is proposed that epidemiological studies for VL should be carried out in areas of Azad Kashmir, especially concentrating on the places from where patients keep on presenting for treatment in various hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.