VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN GAMBELA, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Active case finding, leishmanin skin test and serological surveys of v isceral leishmaniasis were carried in selected localities in Gambela, Western Ethiopia, through the years 1989 - 1993. Active case detection surveys were made among 1456 Sudanese refugees, 646 Ethiopian Nuers a nd Anuaks, 651 resettlers at Baro-Abol and 165 patients from health ce ntres in Itang, Fugnido and Kermi and Gambela hospital. Leishmanin ski n test and sero-epidemiological studies were also conducted. A total o f seven cases of visceral leishmaniasis were detected among refugees a nd none among resettlers, natives or 156 patients attending health cen tres and a hospital in Gambela. Positive leishmanin rates varied from 34.4% among refugees to 7.6% and 1.7% among Ethiopian Nuers and Anuaks and resettlers, respectively. Seroprevalence rates were also determin ed to be 18.1%, 7.3% and 8.1% respectively for the above order of stud y populations. Results are discussed in view of the currently ongoing leishmaniasis epidemic in the Upper Nile Province of the Sudan. The st udy emphasizes on the potential risk of imported visceral leishmaniasi s being established in Western Ethiopia, where the disease is not know n to be endemic until now.