Hyraxes and Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia
Hyraxes are known in many parts of Ethiopia by the vernacular name ‘Shikoko’ or ‘Osole’ and resemble mice. Bush hyraxes (Heterohyrax brucei), rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and tree hyraxes (Dendrohyrax dorsalis, Dendrohyrax arboreus, Dendrohyrax validus) are the extant species in the three genera and all of the groups are found in Ethiopia. Dendrohyrax species are not described in Ethiopia and little is known about this genus. Bush and rock hyraxes are the known reservoir hosts of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania aethiopica (L. aethiopica) in highlands of Ethiopia. They are also believed to be the reservoir hosts of Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) and Leishmania killicki (L. killicki). Their role as a reservoir hosts of Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) is not known. The current strategy suggested by World Health Organization (WHO) for Leishmania control is based on treating infected individuals in addition to reservoir host and vector control. In Ethiopia, treating infected individuals has no role in disease control since leishmaniasis is zoonotic in its range. Shooting of hyraxes and/or encouraging predators of hyraxes (biological control), found near heavily infected population with CL, are the only possible ways to control CL based on reservoir control in addition to environmental management.
The use of insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent the bites of nocturnally active sandflies is getting attention to prevent both CL and VL. This method could be used in Ethiopia.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2008 The Author(s)
Similar Articles
- Afework Kassu, Masayuki Fujino, Masako Nishizawa, Getahun Mengistu, Ermias Diro, Belete Ayele, Dereje Ketema, Feleke Moges, Andargachew Mulu, Gizachew Yismaw, Kahsay Huruy, Ebba Abate, Assefa Getachew, Moges Tiruneh, Yared Wondmikun, Wataru Sugiura, Fusao Ota, Levels of serum HIV-1 RNA viral load in tuberculosis patients with or without intestinal parasites during treatment of tuberculosis in Gondar, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)
- Feleke Moges, Challenges of Bacterial Drug Resistance in Developing Countries , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Tadis Brhane, Telake Azale, Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Emergency Contraception and Associated Factors among Female Students in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Yishak Abraham, Daniel Asrat, Yimtubezinash Woldeamanuel, Tezera Chaka, Dereje Negash, Biruk L. WAMISHO, Bacteriology of Compound (Open) Fracture Wounds at ‘Tikuranbessa’ Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Fantahun Sirata, Mebrate Dufera, Girmaye Kenasa, Sero-prevalence of HBV and associated factors among HIV positive adults attending ART clinic at Nekemte Specialized hospital, Nekemte, Western Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 13 No. 2 (2023)
- Biniam Kefiyalew, Tezera Tadele, Zeleke Mekonnen, Binyam Tilahun, Bethelhem Anteneh, Alemayehu Teklu, Community engagement platforms for Compassionate Respectful and Caring health service: challenges and opportunities, in Sululta district, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 1 (2022)
- Awoke Derbie, Daniel Mekonnen, Aschalew Gelaw, From Response to Resilience: Sustaining Vigilance after Ethiopia's first Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2025)
- Ermias Diro, Situs Inversus Totalis with Aortopulmonary Shunt: A Case Report in an Ethiopian , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009)
- Adeladlew Netere, Daniel Asfaw Erku, Gizachew Motbinor Alene, Derso Teju Geremew, Sewunet Admasu Belachew, Clients’ expectation, satisfaction and determinant factors towards outpatient services deliveries in Ethiopian primary hospitals: Multi-center cross-sectional survey , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.