Answer: Protozoa
Notes: India is close to eliminating Kala-azar as a public health issue, maintaining cases below one in 10,000 for two consecutive years, meeting WHO elimination criteria. Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the Protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani and transmitted by infected female sandflies. The disease mainly affects impoverished populations and is linked to malnutrition, poor housing, and weakened immune systems. Symptoms include irregular fever, weight loss, spleen and liver swelling, and severe anemia, which can be fatal if untreated. Diagnosis uses clinical signs and tests like the rK39 kit, while treatment involves various anti-parasitic medications.
