ORIGIN AND OUTBREAKS

➘ LSD first originated in Africa, where the first epidemic was recorded in Zambia in 1929

➘ By 1989, it had covered the entire continent before venturing further, into Israel

➘ In recent years, cases have surfaced across West Asia and Europe

➘ In India, LSD was first reported in 2019, believed to have entered via Bangladesh. It moved towards the central and southern regions, covering 15 states by 2021

➘ In 2022, the first case surfaced in Gujarat in April. It is believed to have its source in Pakistan

➘ Since July, the outbreak has spread to Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand, MP and J&K, with stray cases reported from a few other states too