Outbreak of Louse-Borne Relapsing Fever among Urban Dwellers in Arsi Zone, Central Ethiopia, from July to November 2016

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Jun;98(6):1599-1602. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0470. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Abstract

We report epidemiological and clinical aspects of an outbreak of louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) in Asella in Arsi Zone, central Ethiopia, from July to November 2016. A total of 63 LBRF cases were reported. The overall case fatality rate was 13% among treated patients. In this article, the first-line epidemiological assessment, individual prevention and control measures, and public health investigations and interventions in relation to this outbreak are described. Treatment recommendations for resource-limited settings are discussed by review of the latest literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Borrelia / pathogenicity*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons
  • Insect Vectors / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Pediculus / microbiology*
  • Relapsing Fever / epidemiology*
  • Relapsing Fever / microbiology
  • Relapsing Fever / prevention & control
  • Relapsing Fever / transmission
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population
  • Young Adult