Kala Azar

Facts for Prelims

Kala Azar

News: India stands on the brink of eliminating visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala azar.

What is Kala azar?
• Kala Azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis or Black Fever, is a severe form of leishmaniasis caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The disease is named “Kala Azar” (meaning “black sickness” in Hindi) due to the darkening of the skin that can occur in chronic conditions.
• The disease is characterized by the migration of the parasite to internal organs such as the liver, spleen (hence “visceral”), and bone marrow. If left untreated, it will almost always result in the death of the host.
• Common symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and substantial swelling of the liver and spleen.
• In India, the only parasite that causes this disease is Leishmania donovani.
• Kala Azar is the second deadliest parasitic disease in the world, with only malaria causing more deaths. It is spread to humans through the bite of infected female sand flies. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, Kala Azar is associated with high fatality.