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Epidemiological, investigations of visceral leishmaniasis in the West Pokot District, Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Mutuku J. Mutinga ,
Johnson M. Ngoka  and
Thomas R. Odhiambo
Mutuku J. Mutinga
Affiliation:
University of Nairobi, Department of Zoology, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi
Johnson M. Ngoka
Affiliation:
University of Nairobi, Department of Zoology, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi
Thomas R. Odhiambo
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

Studies of the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in the West Pokot focus have revealed that Sergentomyia bedfordi, S. antennatus and S. schwetzi are the most abundant sandfly species. The latter have been shown to feed mainly on lizards. Phlebotomus martini was encountered in termite hills in the ventilation shafts, and showed an even distribution among the termite hills throughout the district where kala-azar cases were detected. Investigations into the relationship between termite hills and the presence of kala-azar cases in various homes were carried out. All homes afflicted with kala-azar had a termite hill or hills within a 10-m radius. The period of time spent in own homestead by each kala-azar case was to establish if each kala-azar patient contracted the disease in the focus of investigation.

Keywords

Leishmaniasiskala-azarepidemiologyPhlebotomusSergentomyiaElisa testtermite hills
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 5 , Issue 6 , December 1984 , pp. 521 - 525
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1984

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References

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