Daily Current Affairs : 13-December-2023
India has made remarkable strides in combating visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala azar, approaching the World Health Organization’s (WHO) elimination target. This success aligns with global efforts to address neglected tropical diseases.
Understanding Kala Azar:
- Kala-azar is a slow-progressing disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
- Endemic in 119 districts across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, kala azar is the second-largest parasitic killer globally.
- Elimination is achieved by reducing annual incidence to less than 1 case per 10,000 people at the sub-district level.
Types of Leishmaniasis:
- Visceral leishmaniasis, the most severe form affecting multiple organs.
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis, causing skin sores.
- Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, resulting in skin and mucosal lesions.
Impact and Symptoms:
- Visceral leishmaniasis, fatal in over 95% of untreated cases, exhibits symptoms like fever, anorexia, fatigue, and organ enlargement.
- Increased susceptibility to secondary infections poses additional risks.
Diagnostic Challenges and Solutions:
- Dipstick testing is the common diagnostic method but faces challenges.
- Miltefosine is the first effective oral drug for treating kala-azar.
Geographical Distribution in India:
- Endemic in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
- High-risk areas include West Bengal districts like Darjeeling, Malda, and others.
- Significant nationwide decline from 9,200 cases in 2014 to 1,276 cases in 2021.
Treatment and Control Measures:
- Anti-leishmanial medicines constitute the primary treatment.
- WHO-recommended vector control involves reducing sandfly transmission through insecticide spraying and treated nets.
Government Initiatives:
- The National Kala-Azar Elimination Programme, though missing the 2015 deadline, achieved substantial success.
- Central government provided medicines, insecticides, and technical support, while states covered implementation costs.
- Implemented through State/District Malaria Control Offices and the primary healthcare system.
Important Points:
- India is nearing the WHO elimination target for visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar), showcasing significant progress in disease control.
- Kala-azar is caused by Leishmania donovani, endemic in 119 districts across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, and is the second-largest parasitic killer globally.
- Elimination is defined as reducing annual incidence to less than 1 case per 10,000 people at the sub-district level.
- Three types of leishmaniasis exist: visceral (most severe), cutaneous, and mucocutaneous.
- Visceral leishmaniasis is fatal in over 95% of untreated cases and presents symptoms like fever, anorexia, fatigue, and organ enlargement.
- Diagnosis relies on dipstick testing, with miltefosine being the first effective oral treatment for kala-azar.
- Geographically, kala-azar is concentrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with specific districts like Darjeeling and Malda showing high incidence.
- A nationwide decline in cases from 9,200 in 2014 to 1,276 in 2021 indicates substantial progress.
- Treatment involves anti-leishmanial medicines, and WHO recommends vector control to reduce sandfly transmission.
- The National Kala-Azar Elimination Programme, though missing its 2015 deadline, has been successful, supported by the central government providing medicines, insecticides, and technical support.
- Implementation occurs through State/District Malaria Control Offices and the primary healthcare system, highlighting a collaborative approach.
Why In News
India is on the verge of eliminating visceral leishmaniasis, or kala azar, with a significant reduction in reported cases and deaths, nearing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) elimination target. Bangladesh, India’s neighbor, has already been validated by the WHO for successfully eliminating kala azar as a public health problem, showcasing the remarkable progress in the region towards eradicating this debilitating disease.
MCQs about India’s Strive for Kala Azar Elimination
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What is the primary goal of the National Kala-Azar Elimination Programme in India?
A. Reduce sandfly population
B. Achieve WHO’s elimination target
C. Implement vector control
D. Eradicate all tropical diseases
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Which type of leishmaniasis is the most severe, affecting multiple organs?
A. Cutaneous leishmaniasis
B. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
C. Visceral leishmaniasis
D. Subcutaneous leishmaniasis
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What diagnostic method is commonly used for kala azar, despite facing challenges?
A. Blood culture
B. PCR testing
C. Dipstick testing
D. Urine analysis
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What is the primary focus of vector control, as recommended by the WHO for kala azar?
A. Eradication of sandflies
B. Reduction of sandfly population
C. Elimination of Leishmania parasites
D. Promotion of insecticide resistance
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