11 districts of Bengal report kala azar or black fever: Report

The cases were detected following state-administered surveillance, officials said, adding that the detection will now allow the state to tackle the spread.

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, according to DoctorsWithoutBorders.org (DWB).

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Leishmania parasites are transmitted through the bites of infected female phlebotomine sandflies, which feed on blood to produce eggs.

Around 70 animal species, including humans, have been found as natural reservoir hosts of Leishmania parasites.

WHO notes that

• Early diagnosis and effective prompt treatment reduces the prevalence of the disease and prevents disabilities and death. It helps to reduce transmission and to monitor the spread and burden of disease.
• Control methods include insecticide spray, use of insecticide-treated nets, environmental management and personal protection.
• Effective disease surveillance is important to promptly monitor and act during epidemics and situations with high case fatality rates under treatment.
• Control of animal reservoir hosts is complex and should be tailored to the local situation.
• Social mobilisation and strengthening partnerships with effective behavioural change interventions must always be locally adapted.

According to WHO, all patients diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis should be given prompt and complete treatment.

It notes that leishmaniasis is a treatable and curable disease, “which requires an immunocompetent system because medicines will not get rid of the parasite from the body, thus the risk of relapse if immunosuppression occurs”.