Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 2155-9899
+44 1223 790975
Hirpa Adugna Abera, Geremew Tasew, Teshome Tsegaw, Asfaw Kejella, Abate Mulugeta, Dagimlidet Worku, Abraham Aseffa and Endalamaw Gadisa
Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ethiopia
Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Ethiopia
Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Health Bureau, Ethiopia
World Health Organization, Ethiopia
KalaCORE Consortium, Ethiopia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Cell Immunol
Kala-azar is a growing public health problem in Ethiopia. Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State was previously not known to be endemic for the disease. In response to a case report from the region, we conducted a rapid assessment survey. A pretested questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic and clinical histories pertinent to kala-azar. Study participants with complaints of fever and headache for 2 weeks or more were tested for kala-azar and malaria. All participants were screened with the leishmanin skin test and the direct agglutination test for exposure to Leishmania, defined as a positive result with either or both tests. Of 275 participants, 20 were exposed giving an overall leishmaniasis seroprevalence rate of 7.3%. Among the 20 positive individuals, 19 were farmers and nine of them reported no travel history outside their district. It appears that kala-azar is emerging in Dangur and Guba districts of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, probably in connection with human encroachment into one or several previously out-of-reach zoonotic foci. We recommend integrated epidemiological surveys for confirmation and early containment of disease transmission in the area.
Email: adugnabe@yahoo.com