Kala-azar detected in 4 villages of Sudurpashchim
Summary
Kala-azar, a parasitic disease spread by sandflies, is reemerging in Nepal's hills and Himalayan regions, notably in Sudurpashchim province, due to climate change and inadequate public awareness. Cases have been identified in Baitadi and Bajura districts near the Indian border.
Key Points
- Kala-azar, previously eradicated in Nepal's Terai region, is now reemerging in the hills and Himalayas due to climate change and shifting weather patterns.
- A 24-month study by BPKIHS found Kala-azar cases in four villages of Baitadi and Bajura in Sudurpashchim Province, near the India-Nepal border.
- Treatment for Kala-azar is complex and mainly available only in a few government institutions in Dharan and Kathmandu.
- Lack of public awareness and waste management, alongside open borders with India, contribute to the disease's persistence and spread in Nepal.
