Question

Kala-azar is transmitted by
(a) Tsetse fly
(b) Dragonfly
(c) Sandfly
(d) Fruit Fly

Answer 1

This is the local name for any species or genus of these flies which bites and sucks blood, commonly found in sandy areas. In certain areas, these flies are called aa horse flies and greenheads.

Complete step by step answer:
Kala- azar which is also known as Leishmaniasis is an infection by a parasite (protozoan) Leishmania donovani. The vector for this parasite is sandfly, which transmits disease by biting. This disease lasts for a longer period and can be a lethal parasitic disease that influences important organs such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and secondary circulation system.
So, the correct answer is ‘Sandfly’.

Additional information:
- Main symptoms of kala- azar include high fever, extreme loss of weight, inflammation in the spleen and liver, anemia, loss of blood, tiredness, darkening of the skin, and inflammation of glands.
- Kala-azar is the second biggest parasitic lethal parasitic disease in the world and the first one is malaria. The approximate death rate is 20,000 to 30,000 per year worldwide.
- These parasites are becoming resistant to the anti-parasite drugs which are present now.
In India, the resistant rates are increasing with almost 60% of the population of Bihar showing resistance to these drugs in India.

Note:
- Antimonials like the sodium stibogluconate and meglumine antimoniate are used in the traditional treatment of Kala-azar.
- For the parasites of Kala-azar needs two hosts to complete its life cycle. The two hosts are adult female sandflies and humans.
- Prevention includes avoiding activities outside the house, especially during the time when Sandflies are active, using insect repellent creams, and using air conditioning inside the house.