Kala-Azar is a slow progressing disease caused by Parasites of the Leishmania Genus. According to the World Health Organization, the disease is endemic in three countries –Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Approximately 147 million people in the region are “at risk” from the disease. The Leishmania parasite migrates to the visceral organs such as liver, spleen and bone marrow and if left untreated will almost always result in the death of the host. Symptoms include recurrent fever, weight loss, weakness, anaemia and substantial swelling of the liver and spleen. 

In India, the disease is endemic in eastern States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The disease affects mostly poor people living in rural areas.

Prevention:

1. The most direct form of protection is avoiding sand fly bites through the use of proper clothing, insect repellent, screening of windows and putting fine netting around the bed.
2. Public health measures to reduce the sand fly population and animal reservoirs are vital as there are no preventive vaccines or drugs to treat the disease.

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