ELEPHANTIASIS IN PAWE SETTLEMENT AREA - PODOCONIOSIS OR BANCROFTIAN FILARIASIS

During a pilot trial of animal trypanosomiasis control in 3 villages i n Pawe settlement area of Region 6 found in northwest Ethiopia, a high frequency of people with swollen legs/feet was observed. House-to-hou se search in one of the villages (Village 24) indicated 68 persons, 28 males and 40 females (age ranging from 15 to 69 years) had elephantia sis of one kind or another. Based on the local population census the p revalence of elephantiasis was estimated to be 6%. Clinical examinatio n of the 68 persons showed that about 63% had lymphoedema and/or groin lymph node swelling while parasitological examination of night blood collected between 21 and 23 hours turned to be negative. The type, mag nitude and distribution of elephantiasis in Ethiopia are discussed and further study is suggested to elucidate the aetiology of the one in P awe settlement area.