The Union Health Ministry reported that the number of Kala-azar cases in India decreased by 98.7% from 44,533 in 2007 to 834 in 2022. India aims to eradicate Kala-azar by 2023 completely.

During a high-level meeting to review the progress of the Kala-azar illness in the four endemic states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that 632 (99.8%) endemic blocks had already attained elimination status (less than one case per 10,000). In the Pakur district of Jharkhand, just one block, Littipara, falls under the endemic category (1.23 cases/10,000 people).

After malaria, Kala-azar is regarded as the second deadliest parasite disease in the world. In India, the endemic states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal each had 633 blocks of 54 districts where Kala-azar was present.

In order to eradicate Kala-azar by 2023, the government has made several accomplishments. The Center is helping the states with active case detection, surveillance, treatment, and supply of diagnostic tools, medications, sprays, etc.

The Health Minister stated that the government and its stakeholders are ensuring a robust ecosystem for early detection of the disease and its timely treatment through interventions like pucca houses through the PM-AWAS yojana, rural electrification, timely testing, treatment, and periodic high-level reviews. He requested the endemic states to ensure that high-risk blocks are regularly reviewed and micro-stratified.

He praised the state government′s efforts to reach the elimination goal and stated that other government interventions must be widely publicised through a variety of media to raise public awareness of messages about prolonged fever, its symptoms, and free access to diagnosis, treatment, and compensations/incentives.

(Source:  https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/98-7-per-cent-decline-in-kala-azar-cases-since-2007-in-india-health-ministry/96754715)