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. 2016 Jul 6;95(1):104-8.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0738. Epub 2016 May 2.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia: Reemerging or Emerging?

Adugna Abera  1 , Geremew Tasew  2 , Teshome Tsegaw  1 , Asfaw Kejella  3 , Abate Mulugeta  4 , Dagimlidet Worku  5 , Abraham Aseffa  1 , Endalamaw Gadisa  6
Affiliations

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia: Reemerging or Emerging?

Adugna Abera et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Map of study kebeles, Almehal and Kota, in perspective of Guba and Dangur districts, Benishangul-Gumuz regional state, April–May 2015.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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