KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Sandflies and the parasitic skin disease they spread are expected to reach epidemic proportions in southern Afghanistan this spring and summer, according to an international health organization. It is the latest health concern facing Canadian and other coalition troops in the region.

HealthNet International - a Netherlands-based organization - estimated as many as 20,000 Afghan civilians in Kandahar district are infected with cutaneous leishmaniasis, which is spread by the female sandfly and causes skin ulcers.

These pests, along with malaria-laden mosquitoes, are considered routine health hazards in the desert. But there has been a veritable explosion of sandfly disease throughout Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, where the World Health Organization has estimated at least two million Afghan refugees are infected.

A number of precautions have been already taken and more will take place starting next week, said the leader of the Canadian army's preventative medicine team at Kandahar airfield.

"The key is awareness," said Warrant Officer Stephen James.

"Most soldiers, whether they get bitten by a spider or anything and they notice it's out of the ordinary, they seek medical attention right away. Whereas the local Afghan might not seek treatment whatsoever."

A lack of proper medical facilities and the high cost of drug treatment throughout the country is one of the reasons the disease is on the rise, Healthnet International said in a recent statement.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is not fatal, but left unchecked it can leave a victim with severe scars, even disfigurement. The infection does not heal on its own and sometimes can go on for years.

The spike in sandfly infection is partly due to the ongoing conflict in southern Afghanistan, where health officials have recommended the removal of rubble, which is a fertile breeding ground for the pests.

James said his preventative medicine team, which monitors a variety of potential health hazards at the airfield, will be setting light traps for both the flies and mosquitoes beginning this week. The trapped bugs will be analyzed to determine if they're carrying disease.

"It is a concern," said James. "but we've taken all of the precautions that are necessary."

The uniforms of Canadian troops have been treated with permetherin, an insecticide that gives the bugs "hot feet," preventing them from landing on the pants and jackets. The clothes are good for about 50 washes before they need another coating.

In addition each soldier has been issued DEET insecticide, said James.

Dr. Quaid Saeed, the World Health Organization's emergency medical officer in the region, was quoted recently by local media as saying the illiteracy rate in the region is another factor which has helped the disease flourish.

He said people in many areas of southern Afghanistan don't know anything about precautionary measures to protect themselves against the infection.

The only way to halt the spread of the disease is to create awareness among people and provide them with among other things, bed nets, said Saeed.

Last fall, a handful of Dutch soldiers stationed in northern Afganistan came down with the infection and were sent home for treatment.

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