Publication: Kala-azar outbreak in Libo Kemkem, Ethiopia: epidemiologic and parasitologic assessment
No Thumbnail Available
Identifiers
Publication date
2007-08
Authors
Alvar, Jorge ISCIII 
Bashaye, Seife
Argaw, Daniel
Cruz, Israel ISCIII
Aparicio, Pilar ISCIII
Kassa, Askal
Orfanos, Giannos
Parreño, Fernando
Babaniyi, Olusegan
Gudeta, Nigussu
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)
Metrics
Export
Abstract
In May 2005, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was recognized for the first time in Libo Kemkem, Ethiopia. In October 2005, a rapid assessment was conducted using data from 492 patients with VL treated in the district health center and a household survey of 584 residents of four villages. One subdistrict accounted for 71% of early cases, but the incidence and number of affected subdistricts increased progressively throughout 2004-2005. In household-based data, we identified 9 treated VL cases, 12 current untreated cases, and 19 deaths attributable to VL (cumulative incidence, 7%). Thirty percent of participants were leishmanin skin test positive (men, 34%; women, 26%; P = 0.06). VL was more common in men than women (9.7% versus 4.5%, P < 0.05), possibly reflecting male outdoor sleeping habits. Molecular typing in splenic aspirates showed L. infantum (six) and L. donovani (one). Local transmission resulted from multiple introductions, is now well established, and will be difficult to eradicate.
Description
Keywords
DeCS Terms
Bibliographic citation
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 Aug;77(2):275-82.