Epidemic dysentery in western Kenya

This paper describes the epidemiology of a probable Shigella dysemeriae type 1 dysentery epidemic in western Kenya. A retrospective record review over 2 years of all cases of dysentery, amoebiasis and diarrhoea was carried out in 13 healthcare facilities in the Rarieda Division of Nyanza province. O...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1997-09, Vol.91 (5), p.541-543
Main Authors: Malakooti, M.A., Alaii, J., Shanks, G.D., Phillips-Howard, P.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Amebiasis - epidemiology
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Diarrhea - epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks
dysentery
Dysentery, Bacillary - epidemiology
epidemic
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Incidence
Infectious diseases
Kenya
Kenya - epidemiology
Medical sciences
Rain
Retrospective Studies
Seasons
Shigella dysenteriae
Space-Time Clustering
Tropical medicine
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Summary:This paper describes the epidemiology of a probable Shigella dysemeriae type 1 dysentery epidemic in western Kenya. A retrospective record review over 2 years of all cases of dysentery, amoebiasis and diarrhoea was carried out in 13 healthcare facilities in the Rarieda Division of Nyanza province. Of the 3301 cases recorded, 2191 were dysentery, giving a cumulative 2 years incidence rate for dysentery of 4%.The epidemic began in December 1994 and peaked in February 1995, coinciding with the very dry season. One location in the area had an overall attack rate of 9·3%, double that of other locations. Highest rates were in children aged 15 years old. S. dysemeriae type 1, with its increasing multiantibiotic resistance, is a continuing threat to the health of people in this region; this area may be suitable for intensive, prospective surveillance as a prelude to a Shigella vaccine trial.
ISSN:0035-9203
1878-3503
DOI:10.1016/S0035-9203(97)90018-3