DUSHANBE , April 27, Asia-Plus - The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Country Office states that the sudden outbreak of leptospirosis in the Fayzobod district has been the result of obsolete pipes.  

As it had been reported earlier, Deputy Health Minister Nigina Sharopova claimed at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 19 that the reason for the leptospirosis was that the Aga Khan Foundation installed water pipes in that area, and it happened that new pipes were connected to old pipes and allegedly many dead rats were in those parts where the new and old pipes were connected.  

According to information from the AKF Dushanbe Office, no cases of this bacterial disease have been reported in 13 villages of the Fayzobod that have been targeted by the Mountain Societies Development Support Program (MSDSP) project aimed at enhancing the public water system in those villages.  “The Mehrobod jamoat (community), where the cases of leptospirosis have occurred, has not been covered by this project,” the source said.  

In the meantime, hukumat (local authorities) of the Fayzobod district recently appealed to the AKF Dushanbe Office asking to assist in replacement of old pipes in the Mehrobod jamoat, where the leptospirosis outbreak has been reported.  According to information from the AKF Dushanbe Office, this appeal is currently under consideration.