16 Dec 2008 07:41:43 GMT
Source: IRIN

HERAT, 16 December 2008 (IRIN) - Over 270 people have been diagnosed
with a hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), locally known as "camel
belly" or 'charmak' disease, in the western province of Herat - and at
least 44 deaths have been confirmed - since November 2007, provincial
health officials told IRIN.

The disease - which causes rapidly filling ascites (an accumulation of
fluid in the peritoneal cavity [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascites]),
severe abdominal pain, vomiting and jaundice - killed a 15-year-old boy
on 8 December, according to local health workers.

"VOD of the liver is a form of toxic liver damage caused by
pyrrolizidine alkaloids," the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Laboratory tests at the National Institute for Public Health in the
Netherlands in May confirmed the disease is caused by exposure to
pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in 'charmak', a poisonous weed believed to
be growing mostly alongside cereals in Gulran District of Herat
Province, and which often finds its way into locally produced wheat flour.

'Charmak' disease was first reported in Gulran District in November
2007, and the Health Ministry said "no new outbreak" had occurred since
May 2008, largely owing to increased public awareness.

"Diagnosed cases have increased because patients who were infected five
or six months ago are seeking treatment," said Abdullah Fahim, a
spokesman for the Health Ministry.

But Aziz Noorzai, head of Gulran's 25-bed hospital, told IRIN at least
eight people had been recently infected. "We diagnosed 22 new cases… of
which eight were infected… within the last month."

Despite the prevalence of the disease for a long time, there is still no
effective medication available in Afghanistan to treat patients, health
officials in Kabul and Herat said.

Animal husbandry affected

Animal husbandry and agriculture are the two main sources of income for
people in Gulran District. Local people, however, say they now need
emergency food aid because 'charmak' has badly affected their grain
harvest and livestock.

The outbreak of 'charmak' disease and awareness messages by health
workers have prompted local residents to stop consuming locally produced
wheat flour, fearing it could be contaminated by the poisonous weed.

Livestock deaths have reportedly increased in the past several weeks
causing fear among herders: The fatally toxic 'charmak' weed is
suspected to have killed 1,000 sheep, cows and goats over the past
month. Thousands of livestock have perished since November 2007.

The head of Gulran District, Golam Farooq Majroh, warned that people
would "abandon everything and move to other areas" if animal deaths were
not curbed through the urgent provision of safe fodder.

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