EXPLAINED | What Is Black Fever Or Kala Azar? Know About Disease Reported In 11 Districts Of Bengal

Over 95% of cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), often known as kala-azar, are deadly if untreated.

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In the previous few weeks, at least 65 instances of black fever, popularly known as kala-azar, have been documented in eleven districts of West Bengal, predominantly in the state's northern region, according to a senior health department official citing findings of state-administered monitoring.

Darjeeling, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, and Kalimpong had the highest number of reported cases.

Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, and Murshidabad districts have also reported a few instances of black fever, which is mostly spread by sandfly bites infected with the parasite Leishmania donovani. So far, no cases have been reported in Kolkata.

What Is Black Fever?

Over 95% of cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), often known as kala-azar, are deadly if untreated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that it is characterised by sporadic fever attacks, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and anaemia. In India, East Africa, and Brazil, kala-azar instances are most common.

VL continues to rank among the most dangerous parasite illnesses in terms of potential death.

It is brought on by protozoan parasites that are spread by the bite of female phlebotomine sandflies that are infected. 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 to leishmaniasis.

Diagnosis & Treatment Of Black Fever

According to the WHO website, the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis is established by combining clinical indicators with parasitological or serological investigations (such fast diagnostic tests).

Leishmaniasis therapy is influenced by a number of variables, such as the disease kind, coexisting diseases, parasite species, and geographic location.

Leishmaniasis is a treatable and curable condition that needs an immune system that is functioning normally since medications will not completely eradicate the parasite from the body, increasing the chance of relapse if immunosuppression takes place.

All patients who have been diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis need immediate and thorough therapy.

WHO states that because leishmaniasis transmission occurs in a complex biological system comprising the human or animal reservoir host, parasite, and sandfly vector, prevention and treatment of the disease need a mix of intervention techniques.