Written question asked by Richard Burden (Labour) on Thursday, 14 June 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 June 2018. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 June 2018 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Palestinians: Leishmaniasis

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the levels of Leishmaniosis in (a) the West Bank, (b) Gaza and (c) Palestinian refugee camps in (i) Lebanon, (ii) Jordan and (iii) Syria.

Answer: The implementing partner for DFID’s People for Peaceful Change Programme monitors the incidence and prevalence of both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniosis cases in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Jordan. There were 5175 reported cases of cutaneous Leishmaniosis in the West Bank between 1990-2016. There have not been any reports about the disease spreading in Gaza therefore it is considered a free area. Assessments show Leishmaniosis levels in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria are low. Camps across the region may experience seasonal variation due to sand-fly populations.

Secondary information