Kala-azar epidemic in Varanasi district, India

Reports at the Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, of a larg e number of kala-azar cases from one particular village in Varanasi distric t, Uttar Pradesh, led us to carry out an epidemiological study of the situa tion using standard techniques. The overall prevalence and case fatality of the disease were 12.9% and 10.5%, respectively. A history of fever and hep atosplenomegaly was noted for ail the cases. The case definition was the pr esence of parasites in bone marrow or splenic aspirate smears. The disease was more prevalent among adults, but occurred also among children. However, there was no clear linear relationship between the prevalence of the disea se and age group. Kala azar occurred among males and females, and its preva lence did not correlate significantly with income. Since the disease vector continues to be present in the study area, the health authorities should t ake strong steps to control the disease.