'Black fever' spreads in Dhanusha district

Kala-Azar-known medically as visceral leishmaniasis and in popular English as 'black fever' has been spread in the flood affected areas in Terai region.

Black fever has spread in Ghoighas, Shahiya, Govindapur among other villages in Dhanusha district as epidemics. According to the INS correspondent, the affected people are undergoing medical treatment at Janakpur Zonal Hospital.

Black fever is caused by a microscopic parasite transmitted by the phlebozomine sand fly, and inflicts those infected with irregular bouts of fever, fatigue, substantial weight loss, swelling of the lymph nodes, spleen and the liver, and anemia.