NEW FOCI OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN CENTRAL KENYA AND THE RIFT-VALLEY

Active case detection and investigations of sandfly resting places in suspected transmission sites of cutaneous leishmaniasis in central Ken ya and the Rift Valley resulted in the identification of several foci of the disease in Samburu, Isiolo, Laikipia, Nakuru and Nyandarua dist ricts. The foci occurred in areas ranging from semi-arid lowlands at 4 00 m altitude to highland plateaux at 2500 m, including the floor of t he Rift Valley, and were mostly inhabited by recently settled communit ies, nomads and migrant charcoal burners. Four species of Phlebotomus, 3 of the subgenus Larroussius (P. pedifer, P. aculeatus and P. guggis bergi) and one Paraphlebotomus (P. saevus) were collected from caves, rock crevices and tree hollows found in river valleys and in lava flow s.