The once eradicated Black fever is now detected in eleven districts of West Bengal.
A senior health department official cited the findings of the state-mandated monitoring. At least 65 instances of black fever, also known as “kala-azar,” have been documented in 11 districts of Bengal in the past few weeks.
The past of Black fever in India
Kala-azar, which in Hindi translates to “black fever,” was initially found in Bengal, which today includes modern-day Bangladesh and parts of India, including Bihar.
It results in a fever, loss of appetite, spleen and liver swelling, and anemia. Kala-azar cases are sometimes confused for malaria infections. When neglected, the illness is crippling and usually often deadly.
Initiatives are undertaken by the Indian Government
Countries’ increased involvement has improved things. A regional campaign to prevent kala-azar was started in 2005 by Bangladesh, India, and Nepal with help from the World Health Organization.
The goal of this alliance was to lower cases at the district or sub-district level to fewer than one case per 10,000 people annually.
Back to the present
Recently, 65 cases were found in 11 districts due to monitoring. The state will be able to stop the spread of the disease now that these cases are in the public eye.
Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, and Murshidabad districts have also confirmed a few black fever cases. Sandfly bites carrying the parasite Leishmania donovani are the principal method of disease transmission.
The disease is more common in those who have spent much time in Bihar, Jharkhand, or Uttar Pradesh. The report states that some people from Bangladesh have also been exhibiting Kala-azar signs and that the inspection procedure will persist.
According to a senior official at the state secretariat, the Government has agreed to treat everyone diagnosed with the condition without charging them anything.
An official from Bureaucrat stated that,
“Even if the infection is detected in a private laboratory or hospital, the doctor should immediately bring the matter to the attention of the district health officer. The state health department will bear all expenses of treatment along with meals. The district chief health officer will monitor the whole process,”
We shall continue to hope that the Government will take the measures done years back to eradicate the disease.
Read more: Maharashtra government approves renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts
