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Epidemiology of Leishmaniases in Kenya

Advances in Research on Vectors and Animal Reservoirs, and Possible Control Measures

  • Special Section Leishmaniasis Epidemiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Three types of human leishmaniases are known to occur in Kenya: visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania donovani, and cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. aethiopica and L. major. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most important of the three in eastern Africa, not only because it is fatal but also because several epidemics have occurred periodically since the disease appeared in the country about 40 years ago resulting in many deaths. L. aethiopica and L. major are chiefly zoonotic and people contract the disease when they wander into areas containing animal reservoirs and infected vectors. Control measures were undertaken against vectors and reservoirs during an epidemic outbreak of kala-azar in Machakos District.

Résumé

Trois types de leishmaniose humain existent au Kenya: la leishmaniose viscérale cuasée par Leishmania donovani et la leishmaniose cutanée causée par L. aethiopia et L. major. Des ces trois formes, la leishmaniose viscérale est la maladie la plus importante en Afrique de l’Est parce que non seulement elle est fatale, mais aussi parce qu’elle a causé plusieurs épidémies périodiques depuis qu’elle s’est infiltrée dans le pays il y a quarante ans environ, provoquant plusieurs décès. L. aethiopia et L. major sont surtout zoonotiques et les gens sont atteints quand ils se baladent dans les régions où il y a des animaux hôtes ou dans cells infestées par les vecteurs.

Les progrès en matière de recherche sur les animaux hôtes et les vecteurs sont présentés et discutés. En plus les mesures de contrôle qui ont été prises lors des épidémies de kala-azar sont présentés. Les moyens possibles de contrôler les épidémies de la maladie sont discutés en se basant sur les résultats de la recherche en cours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya

    Mutuku J. Mutinga

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  1. Mutuku J. Mutinga
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Mutinga, M.J. Epidemiology of Leishmaniases in Kenya. Int J Trop Insect Sci 7, 199–206 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400008961

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400008961

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