Studies on the vector of kala-azar in Kenya

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Of the 3,347 persons living in the survey area, 12% had suffered from kala-azar in recent years. Sixty-one per cent of the patients were children and 61% were males, the male preponderance being most pronounced among children. To study the unequal distribution of kala-azar in the Meru district, it was divided into 3 parts. In area I (east) the kala-azar incidence and the attack rate for different age groups were highest and the average age of the patients lowest. In area n (northwest) the incidence and attack rate were lowest and the average age of the patients highest. Area En (southwest) was intermediate in both respects. In area I most people contracted the disease near their homesteads; in area n the risk was greater among people who moved far from home; in area in infections were contracted both near the homesteads and far away from home. An examination of the number of patients and the number of persons exposed to infection per homestead showed that transmission by direct contact or house-vermin was unlikely. A significant correlation was found between kala-azar incidence and the presence of termite hills near homesteads; this correlation was most pronounced in area. I and least in area in. The habit of families sleeping in their millet-fields during part of the year influenced kala-azar incidence ta the Mpuku Katiriko river-area of area I. No correlation was found between the type of vegetation around the homestead and kala-azar incidence. The presence of rocks near homesteads markedly increased the risk of infection particularly in area ni. Sandflies (Phlebotomus martini and its allied species) living in the ventilation shafts of termite hills, are thought to be the vectors of kala-azar. In the western part of area I and in area IIL however, an additional vector with different resting-places, possibly rock-holes, may play a role in transmission.

This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit: