News Highlight
Eleven districts of Bengal reported cases of Kala Azar or Black fever disease.
Key Takeaways
- “Kala-azar was practically eradicated from West Bengal.
- Recent surveillance, however, led to the detection of 65 cases in 11 districts.
What is kala-azar or black fever disease?
- Kala-azar or leishmaniases is one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is endemic in 76 countries, with approximately 200 million people at risk of infection.
- A protozoan parasitic disease called visceral leishmaniasis, often known as kala-azar, is spread by sandfly bites.
- Sandflies have hairs on their bodies and are brown. ‘Leishmania donovani’, a parasite, is present in the flies.
- The disease is linked to starvation, population displacement, substandard housing, a weakened immune system, and a lack of financial means; it affects some of the poorest individuals.
- Environmental changes, including deforestation, dam construction, irrigation systems, and urbanisation, are also associated with leishmaniasis.
What are the Symptoms?
- Irregular bouts of fever over many days
- weight loss
- enlargement of the spleen and liver
- Anaemia
- The skin may become dry, thin and scaly in patches, and may lose hair
- In people with a light skin tone, greyish discolouration of the skin of hands, feet, abdomen, and face may be seen; that is why the disease is also called “Black fever.”
What does the treatment include?
- Anti-leishmanial medicines are available for treatment.
Government measures to combat the disease
- The government aimed to eliminate the disease in India by 2015 but missed that deadline.
- However, the number of cases has been significantly reduced through the National Kala-Azar Elimination Programme.
- Medicines, insecticides and technical support were given by the central government, while state governments provided for costs involved in implementation.
- The government implement the programme through State/District Malaria Control Offices and the primary health care system.
Pic Courtesy: Indian Express
Content Source: Indian Express