India’s kala-azar cases declined 98.7% since 2007: Health Ministry
India’s kala-azar cases declined 98.7% since 2007: Health Ministry
Published 13th Jan, 2023
Context
Recently, informed by the Ministry of Health that the Kala-azar cases in India fell to 834 in 2022 from 44,533 in 2007 — a 98.7 percent decline.
About
About the disease:
Kala-azar or black fever is a chronic and potentially fatal parasitic disease of the internal organs, particularly the liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes.
Caused by: It is caused by bites from female phlebotomine sandflies – the vector (or transmitter) of the leishmania parasite.
Transmission:Leishmania donovani is transmitted by sandfly bites in parts of Asia (primarily India), Africa (primarily Sudan), South America (primarily Brazil), Europe (primarily in the Mediterranean region) and in North America.
According to WHO, if the disease is not treated, the fatality rate in developing countries can be as high as 100% within 2 years.
Symptoms of Kala azar:
Fever, loss of appetite (anorexia), fatigue, enlargement of the liver, spleen and nodes and suppression of the bone marrow.
Diagnosing Kala azar:
The first oral drug found to be effective for treating kala-azar is miltefosine.