Epidemic resurfaces

MORE THAN 40 people have died of kala-azar and 120-odd people have been infected in Mahottari district of Nepal, close to the Indo-Nepal border, reports Jan Sarma for Panos Features. A shortage of insecticides has made it difficult to keep the virus at bay. In fact, in 1992-93, supplies were only half the required amount.

The epidemic may have its roots in lingering infections from the previous summer, say doctors, because the disease is usually not transmitted in winter.