Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) is transmitted by which vector, and what is India's target year for eliminating it from the Indian subcontinent?
- A Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito; elimination target 2030
- B Lutzomyia sandfly; elimination target 2025
- C Phlebotomus argentipes (sandfly); elimination target < 1 case per 10,000 population at block level by 2023 ✓
- D Anopheles stephensi mosquito; elimination target 2030
Correct answer: C. Phlebotomus argentipes (sandfly); elimination target < 1 case per 10,000 population at block level by 2023
Explanation
Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) is transmitted by the female sandfly Phlebotomus argentipes in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. India's National Kala-azar Elimination Programme (under NVBDCP) set a target of < 1 case per 10,000 population at block (sub-district) level by 2023. The endemic states are Bihar (~90% of cases), Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. First-line treatment is single-dose liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome).
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.