New Delhi, Aug 8: Bihar continued to record the highest number of reported Kala-azar cases in India during the June-December periods of 2023, 2024 and 2025, with Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim also reporting infections, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.
The data, provided by the ministry in response to an RTI query, indicates that Kala-azar remains largely concentrated in these five states, while no cases were reported from other states and Union Territories during the period covered.Bihar reported 170 cases in 2023, 167 in 2024 and 105 in 2025. The state recorded no deaths in 2023 and 2025, while five deaths were reported in 2024.
Jharkhand ranked second, with 77 cases in 2023, 94 in 2024 and 80 in 2025. No deaths were reported in the state during the three-year period.West Bengal recorded 11 cases in 2023, 20 in 2024 and 23 in 2025. One death was reported in 2024, while no fatalities were recorded in the other two years.
Uttar Pradesh reported eight cases in each of the three years. The state recorded no deaths in 2023, one in 2024 and three in 2025.Sikkim reported three cases in 2023, one in 2024 and no cases in 2025. No deaths were reported from the state during the period.Kala-azar, medically known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a parasitic disease transmitted by infected female sandflies.
It can affect organs including the spleen, liver and bone marrow and can become fatal if left untreated.The month-wise figures show that cases were reported across the June-December period rather than being confined to a single sharp seasonal peak. Bihar recorded its highest monthly figures at 36 cases in August 2023, 42 in June 2024 and 24 in July 2025.
Jharkhand’s monthly peaks were recorded in September 2023 with 21 cases, December 2024 with 19 cases and June 2025 with 17 cases.The data indicates that the overall burden has declined in some endemic areas, particularly Bihar, but transmission continues in pockets of the five states.Health experts and officials stress that continued disease surveillance, early identification of patients, timely treatment and measures to control sandfly populations are necessary to prevent further transmission.
The continued presence of cases also underlines the need to sustain elimination efforts in endemic districts, even as the overall number of infections remains relatively low.
