Kala Azar - Current Affairs 2024

In 2023, India achieved its first-ever target of eliminating Kala Azar which was set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme reported a decrease in Kala Azar cases and deaths from 891 cases and three deaths in 2022 to 595 in 2021.
In October 2023, Bangladesh became the first country in the world to be officially validated by the WHO for eliminating Kala Azar as a public health problem.

Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is an indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania.
This is sometimes referred to as Black Fever or Dumdum Fever.
In India, Leishmania donovani is the sole parasite that causes this illness.

Kala-azar, a disease primarily transmitted by sandflies, is the only known vector in India, specifically from the species Phlebotomus argentipes.
It causes fever, weight loss, and swelling of the spleen and liver. If not treated, it can be deadly in 95% of instances.

India reported 530 cases and four fatalities in 2023, a decrease from prior years.
Additionally, there were 286 occurrences of post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL).

Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a condition when Leishmania donovani invades skin cells, resides and develops there and manifests as dermal leisions.
Some of the kala-azar cases manifests PKDL after a few years of treatment.
Recently it is believed that PKDL may appear without passing through visceral stage.

In India, the main therapy for kala-azar is injectable liposomal amphotericin B.
For PKDL, the conventional therapy is 12 weeks of oral miltefosine, with the dosage adjusted according to the patient’s age and weight.

Early diagnosis and effective prompt treatment: WHO-negotiated price schemes and medicine donation programs have improved access to effective anti-leishmanial medicines, particularly for kala-azar, reducing disease prevalence, preventing disabilities, and monitoring disease spread.
Vector control: Control methods for disease transmission include insecticide spray, insecticide-treated nets, environmental management, and personal protection, aimed at reducing the number of sandflies.
Effective disease surveillance: Prompt monitoring and action are crucial during epidemics and high case fatality rates under treatment.
Social mobilisation and strengthening partnerships: Effective behavioral change interventions must be locally adapted and partnered with various stakeholders and vector-borne disease control programs for effective community mobilization and education.