Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: India achieved a significant milestone in the fight against Kala Azar in 2023 by reporting less than one case per 10,000 population across all blocks, marking the first time it met its elimination target.
- The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme reported 595 cases and four deaths in 2023, down from 891 cases and three deaths in 2022.
To receive World Health Organization (WHO) certification, India must sustain this momentum for the next three years.
Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a disease characterized by a slow progression caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania.
The term “kala-azar” originates from India, meaning “black disease,” referring to the dark discolouration of the skin during infection.
In India, Leishmania donovani is the primary parasite causing this disease. The parasite predominantly infects the reticuloendothelial system and is commonly found in high concentrations in the bone marrow, spleen, and liver.
Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a condition where the parasite invades skin cells, leading to dermal lesions.
