Schistosomiasis in Addis Ababa

With increased migration of infected people into cities schistosomiasis is increasingly becoming an urban disease in many endemic countries, including Ethiopia. Recently, 9 children (11-15 years of age) from an elementary school in Addis were found positive for S. mansoni by stool examination. Eight of the children reported to have never been outside Addis, information which was also confirmed from their parents/guardians. The possible occurrence of authochtonous transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis in Addis and the possible factors responsible for this are discussed and the need for more systematic survey suggested.