KATHMANDU: Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, has been reported in east-north area in Bajura district.

The case has been reported in a two-year-old child at Swamikartik Khapar rural municipality-2 in the district.

The toddler was brought to a Primary Health Center at Kolti for treatment after he fell sick.

Medical examination on the child confirmed that he was infected with Kala-azar, according to District Hospital, Bajura’s Information Officer Nriparaj Giri.

Giri shared that the infected child has been referred to Dhangadi for further treatment due to lack of availability of medicine in the local healthcare center.

The communicable infection caused by a protozoa parasite from over 20 Leishmania species was reported in four local units in northern area in the district in the past two years, according to Budhinanda Municipality’s Health Coordinator Om Jung Shahi.

A total of 13 cases of Kala-azar reported from various places–Swamikarti Khapar, Jagannath, Himali rural municipality and Budhinanda Municipality in the last two years.

All these places are adjoining the Karnali River in the district.

Diagnosis and treatment of Kala-azar is free of cost in public healthcare facilities.