Active case detection and investigations of sandfly resting places in suspected transmission sites of cutaneous leishmaniasis in central Kenya and the Rift Valley resulted in the identification of several foci of the disease in Samburu, Isiolo, Laikipia, Nakuru and Nyandarua districts. The foci occurred in areas ranging from semi-arid lowlands at 400 m altitude to highland plateaux at 2500 m, including the floor of the Rift Valley, and were mostly inhabited by recently settled communities, nomads and migrant charcoal burners. Four species of Phlebotomus, 3 of the subgenus Larroussius (P. pedifer, P. aculeatus and P. guggisbergi) and one Paraphlebotomus (P. saevus) were collected from caves, rock crevices and tree hollows found in river valleys and in lava flows.
The results of treatment of 12 cases of inoperable hydatid disease in Kenya using albendazole at a dose of 10 mg/kg body-weight for eight weeks are reported. In all the cases there was marked regression and collapse of the cysts but a further four weeks course of treatment at a higher dose of 15 mg/kg was given to two cases because they both still had a large number of demonstrable cysts on ultrasonography at eight weeks. No side effects of the drug were noted. Albendazole is likely to play an important role in the control programme in Turkana.
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