Amastigotes of Leishmania parasites inside macrophages, illustration. Leishmania sp. cause leishmaniosis, a tropical disease transmitted by bites from infected sand-flies. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images
Health IndiaThe “Black Disease” Is Nearing Its End
India is on its way to eradicating one of its public health problems, called kala-azar, through elimination programs and major strategies implemented into the country’s health system.
Visceral leishmaniasis, commonly named kala-azar (KA) which means “black disease” due to the greyish or blackish discoloration of the skin during the infection, is caused by a parasite called L. donovani.
Since the start of intensified KA activities, the number of KA cases has decreased by 97%, with 2,048 cases in 2020 in comparison to 77,102 in 1992 – and the number of deaths has been reduced from 1,419 in 1992 down to 37 last year.
The availability of a specific drug, AmBisome, has contributed to the reduction of diagnosed KA cases. Since 2014, the treatment compliance have been improved in 99% of cases. Also, AmBisome has contributed to a higher and faster cure rate since the establishment of a single-dose treatment.
