Rare Disease Day: What’s plaguing the Middle East?

For everyone who doesn't already know, February 28 is Rare Disease Day; as a result, the eponymous hashtag has been flitting around Twitter. People are using the social media platform to spread awareness, if not illness, about some of the lesser-known diseases of the world.

In the Middle East, the horrific Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, a skin condition, has plagued the region for years (no pun intended), as well as areas of south Asia and South America. Watch this informative video to learn more about what the illness is, how it affects those who contract it, and why it has made an unfortunate comeback among Middle Eastern populations in recent times:

This skin-eating disease is one that was once known as "Aleppo Boil." #RareDiseaseDayhttps://t.co/9sNIFIpRlT

— AJ+ (@ajplus) February 28, 2017

LM

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