Kala-azar Disease

  • 20 Oct 2024

In News:

India to seek WHO certification for eliminating disease.

Overview of Kala-Azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)

  • Cause: Kala-azar is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani, transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies (Phlebotomus argentipes in India).
  • Symptoms: Includes irregular fevers, weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, severe anaemia. If untreated, it is fatal in over 95% of cases.
  • Affected Areas: Historically, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and parts of Uttar Pradesh report the highest number of cases, with Bihar alone accounting for over 70% of India's cases.

India's Achievement in Kala-Azar Control

  • Current Status:
    • India has managed to maintain Kala-azar case numbers below 1 per 10,000 population for two consecutive years.
    • This meets the WHO's criteria for elimination certification.
  • 2023 and 2024 Statistics:
    • 2023: 595 cases and 4 deaths.
    • 2024 (so far): 339 cases and 1 death.

WHO Certification for Elimination

  • WHO's Target: The World Health Organization aims to eliminate Kala-azar as a public health problem by 2030.
  • Elimination Criteria: A country can be certified when:
    • Local transmission is interrupted for a specified period.
    • There is a system in place to prevent re-emergence of the disease.
  • Global Context: Bangladesh is the first country to have eliminated Kala-azar, receiving WHO certification in October 2024, after reporting fewer than 1 case per 10,000 people for three consecutive years.

India's Kala-Azar Elimination Strategies

  • National Health Policy (2002): Initially set the target to eliminate Kala-azar by 2010, revised multiple times, and is now aiming for 2030.
  • Key Strategies:
    • Active Case Detection: Identification and treatment of all cases.
    • Vector Control: Targeting sandfly breeding grounds through insecticides and environmental management.
    • Community Awareness: Educating the public on disease prevention and early diagnosis.
    • Improved Surveillance: Ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment access, including the use of the rK39 diagnostic kit.
    • Integrated Vector Management: Combining insecticide spraying with environmental changes to reduce sandfly populations.

Challenges and Areas of Focus

  • Root Causes: Persistent issues like poverty, inadequate sanitation, and malnutrition contribute to the spread of Kala-azar, particularly in rural, impoverished areas.
  • Long-term Solutions:
    • Strengthen vector control and improve sanitation.
    • Address socio-economic factors like poverty and displacement.
    • Invest in research for vaccines and new treatments.

Public Health Impact and the Way Forward

  • Elimination Milestone: If India continues to reduce cases, it will join Bangladesh in eliminating Kala-azar as a public health threat.
  • Sustaining Gains:
    • Surveillance and quick response to new cases remain critical.
    • Expand access to rapid diagnostic tools and effective anti-parasitic treatments.
    • Focus on inter-sectoral convergence, integrating efforts from various government sectors, including health, sanitation, and housing.