What is Black Fever & How to Be Safe from It - Know Causes, Precautions

What is Black Fever?

Black fever AKA kala-azar is a chronic disease, and highly contageous. It gets transmitted by the bite of an infected female phlebotomine, also known as sand-flies. The bite transmits the potentially fatal - protozoa leishmania, which results in black fever. It is known as ‘kala-azar’ in India, as it literally translates to black fever. In some parts, it is also known as Dumdum fever. 

Till now Darjeeling, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Kalimpong have reported the maximum number of cases have reported the maximum number of cases. To add to this, around 11 districts of West Bengal have reported at least 65 cases of black fever in the last few days. Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia and Murshidabad districts have also reported a few cases of black fever. As per the officials no case has been detected in Kolkata till now. The government has also decided to provide the treatment free of cost to all those who are diagnosed with this problem.

  What Causes Black Fever?

The below mentioned causes can be a contributing factor to black fever –

1. It is spread by sand-fly bites. 
2. The sand flies feed on animals and humans for blood, which is needed by them to develop their eggs.

Early Signs And Symptoms of Black Fever

Its symptoms are somewhat similar to those of Dengue fever. These can be –

1. Weakness and fatigue – a feeling of weakness, nauseas, leading to feeling drained. 
2. Consistent fever 
3. Night sweats – this means your body will sweat profusely during the later hours of sundown/night 
4. Loss of Appetite and weight 
5. Scaly skin – this means dry skin which won’t get cured with a skin lotion 
6. Dark grey, dull skin – this happens due to the spreading of the virus across the body
7. Enlarged liver – one of the major symptoms of black fever 
8. Swollen lymph nodes – another major symptom of black fever

Precautions And Preventive Measures

1. Try to keep yourself and your child covered while going out, 
2. Apply an insect repellent cream. This will ensure protection form mosquitos and sand-flies. 
3. Keep left-over food items covered to ensure that insects, flies and mosquitoes don’t sit on it. 

Treatments are available, but they do have major side-effects. Black fever, though a chronic fatal disease, can be easily avoided and diagnosed early if proper preventive measures and followed and attention is paid to the early signs.

Stay safe and keep your family safe!

Disclaimer: This blog including the advice provided is generic information and taken from WHO & CDC mainly. It is not a substitute for qualified medical opinion. We advice, Always consult a medical specialist for more information. We strongly recommend consulting a Doctor in case of any related queries.