According to a senior health department official, 65 cases of black fever, or "kala-azar," were reported in 11 districts of Bengal in the last 15 days.

The districts with the highest number of cases reported include Kalimpong, Uttar Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur, and Malda. A few instances of black fever have also been documented in the districts of Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, and Murshidabad, while no case was reported in Kolkata so far. Black fever is often spread by sandfly bites carrying the parasite "Leishmania donovani." 

A top bureaucrat at the state secretariat said that the government has decided to treat everyone who has been diagnosed with the disease "free of cost,” The official also advised that even if the infection is diagnosed in a private laboratory or hospital, the district health officer should be informed. The state health department will cover all treatment costs and meal costs with proper invigilation of the whole process. (ETHealthWorld, July 16, 2022)