NEWS – India has successfully eliminated visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) according to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC). The initial target set for elimination by 2010 was extended to 2023 due to persistent challenges

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kala-azar, caused by protozoan parasites transmitted through sandfly bites, has been a major health concern, especially in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The latest data shows only 520 reported cases of kala-azar in 2023 across India, meeting the elimination criteria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Government interventions such as indoor spraying to kill sandflies, sealing breeding sites, and ensuring treatment completion have played a vital role in achieving elimination targets
• Challenges remain, particularly in states like Bihar and Jharkhand, where post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) cases persist.
• Public health experts stress the importance of sustained surveillance, robust healthcare infrastructure, and community engagement to prevent the resurgence of kala-azar and other vector-borne diseases.

Future Outlook and WHO Assessment:

• The focus now shifts to sustaining progress to be declared Kala-Azar-free, with the WHO set to assess India’s overall situation post-elimination.

LEISHMANIASIS

• Leishmaniasis manifests in three main forms: visceral (kala-azar), cutaneous, and mucocutaneous, caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by sandflies.
• The disease affects primarily impoverished populations and is linked to factors like malnutrition, displacement, poor living conditions, weak immunity, and financial constraints.
• An estimated 700,000 to 1 million new cases occur annually worldwide, with varied severity among infected individuals.

• Types and Global Impact:
  • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is often fatal without treatment, mainly prevalent in Brazil, East Africa, and India, with annual new cases ranging from 50,000 to 90,000.
  • Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is common, causing skin lesions, with around 600,000 to 1 million new cases globally, mainly in the Americas, Mediterranean, Middle East, and central Asia.
  • Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis primarily affects mucous membranes, prevalent in specific regions like Bolivia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Peru.
• Transmission and Risk Factors:
  • Leishmania parasites are transmitted through infected sandfly bites, with over 70 animal species, including humans, as potential sources.
  • Factors like socioeconomic conditions, malnutrition, population mobility, environmental changes, and climate variations influence disease transmission and prevalence.
• Diagnosis and Treatment:
  • Diagnosis involves clinical signs coupled with parasitological or serological tests, with prompt treatment crucial for disease management and prevention.
  • Treatments vary based on disease type, parasite species, and geographic location, focusing on immunocompetent systems and WHO-recommended medications.
• Prevention and Control Measures:
  • Early diagnosis, effective treatment, vector control, disease surveillance, and social mobilization are key strategies to combat leishmaniasis.
  • Access to anti-leishmanial medicines, vector control methods, and community education play vital roles in disease prevention and control efforts