Kala-azar and Trachmo in India

Syllabus: Prelims Unit I - General Science

India's Public Health Achievements - Kala-azar and Trachoma

Major Public Health Achievements

• India is close to eliminating kala-azar as a public health issue.
• Successfully eliminated bacterial eye infection, trachoma.
• India is seeking WHO certification for kala-azar elimination.

Kala-azar Statistics

• Cases reduced to under 1 in 10,000 for two consecutive years.
• 2023 figures:
• 595 cases
• 4 deaths
• 2024 figures (so far):
• 339 cases
• 1 death
• Second deadliest parasitic disease after malaria in India.
• India contributed 11.5% of global kala-azar cases.

Disease Characteristics - Kala-azar

• Scientific name: Visceral leishmaniasis.
• Causative agent: Leishmania donovani (protozoan parasite).
• Transmission: Through sandfly bites.
• No vaccine available.

Trachoma Overview

• Caused by: Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
• Global impact: Leading infectious cause of blindness.
• Historical context: Responsible for 5% of blindness in India in the 1970s.
• No vaccine available.

Elimination vs. Eradication

Elimination:

• Cases kept below a specified limit.
• Disease ceases to be a public health problem.
• Disease may still exist in the community.

Eradication:

• Complete absence of new cases.
• Only achieved globally for smallpox.
• More challenging than elimination.

Common Factors Between Diseases

• Classification: Both are neglected tropical diseases.
• Root causes:
• Poverty
• Inadequate sanitation

Success factors:

• Sustained government campaigns.
• Addressing social implications.
• Focus on income, nutrition, and health services.

Future Challenges and Requirements

• Continued surveillance after the declaration of elimination.
• Avoiding complacency in disease control.
• Ongoing research needed for:
• Better treatment methods.
• Vaccine development.
• Vigilance must be maintained until complete eradication.