Which one the following insect spreads Kalaazar?

Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania [t2]. It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies [t4][t5]. These sandflies act as the biological vector, carrying the parasite from infected hosts to new individuals [t3][t6]. While mosquitoes are well-known vectors for diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya [c1][c3][c5], they do not transmit Kala-azar. Similarly, the tsetse fly is the vector for sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis), not leishmaniasis [t1][t4]. Kala-azar is characterized by symptoms such as irregular fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver [t2]. In India, it remains a significant public health concern, particularly in states like Bihar and West Bengal, where sandfly populations are prevalent [t2].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/leishmaniasis/index.html
2. [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-022-03240-z
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Dengue and Chikungunya > p. 80
4. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Dengue and Chikungunya > p. 79
5. [5] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Malaria > p. 78