People of 45 districts at risk of kala-azar: Study:Daily Sun

  People of 45 districts are at risk of contracting kala-azar as the fly-borne disease breaks out in different parts of country in recent times, a study report said. The study also said around 3 lakh people across the world are infected with kala-azar every year and 40,000 people die annually. In recent years, kala-azar breaks out in different districts especially in Mymensingh, Pabna, Rajshahi an
d Nilphamari, and the disease emerges as a new health challenge for the government. The study also indicates that ‘Ambisome and Combination’ treatment protocol should be followed for the prevention of kala-azar as per WHO guideline. The report on kala-azar was revealed at a programme in a city hotel on Thursday. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim was present as chief guest. The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddrb) and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital jointly conducted the survey. Speaking at the programme, Mohammad Nasim said, “We are giving more attention to eliminate kala-azar from the country.” “To some extent, disease prevention is difficult without conducting any effective research in the specific field,” he added. “There is an inadequate allocation in medical research in Bangladesh to find out the best possible way for the prevention of any disease. Meanwhile, the prime minister assured me of extending her cooperation to conduct research for the prevention of Malaria, kala-azar and tuberculosis,” Nasim said. The health minister also said, “Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Thailand have signed a MoU to work together to fight kala-azar [Visceral Leishmaniasis] as over 147 million people of the Southeast Asia region are vulnerable to the disease.” Five countries will work together to eliminate Kala-azar from Bangladesh by 2015, he said. Over 147 million people in the South-East Asia Region are at risk of contracting life-threatening kala-azar, mainly in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, with recent, sporadic cases being reported from Bhutan and Thailand as well. As over 50 percent of the cases in the three main affected countries occur in areas close to international borders, the countries also need close collaboration to control and eliminate this disease in addition to their strong national efforts. Public health experts of the country have expressed their satisfaction over the matter as the government is committed to provide all support in eliminating kala-azar from the country. Dr Muhammad Abdus Sabur, a renowned health expert, said kala-azar is the second largest parasitic killer in the world—only malaria is more deadly. Kala-azar is one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). “But WHO has given its due attention for the prevention of this deadly kala-azar and the people of Bangladesh will be benefited to a great extent for getting free medicine,” he said. He also said kala-azar is caused by bites from female phlebotomine sandflies—the vector (or transmitter) of the leishmania parasite. The sand flies feed on animals and humans for blood, which they need for developing their eggs. “If blood containing leishmania parasites is drawn from an animal or human, the next person to receive a bite will then become infected and develop leishmaniasis,” he said. The key note was presented by Dr Mohammad Redaunur Rahman of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital (SSMCH) and ABM Maksudul Alam, principal of SSMCH. Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative is providing technical and financial assistance in the project.