Kala azar—or visceral leishmaniasis—is a treatable but largely neglected disease. Southern Sudan is currently facing a massive kala azar epidemic. This is a region where three-quarters of the population has no access to basic medical care, and the health system is unable to deal with an emergency on this scale.
there was a study published last year that was evaluating treatment for leishmaniasis, comparing a single dose regimen to a 15-dose course of antileishmanial agents. the findings showed that a single dose was as efficacious as the long course - with a price difference being around 1:4 (single dose much cheaper).
interestingly these particular protazoa haven’t been found in Australia or the Pacific Islands, which is surprising given that they are transmitted to mammals via female sandflies.
if you can, support Médecins Sans Frontières with money, time or skills. it helps them tackle major health issues like this that are relatively easy to address.
(Source: doctorswithoutborders.org, via doctorswithoutborders)
