Acute schistosomiasis among Americans rafting the Omo River, Ethiopia
G. R. Istre, R. E. Fontaine, J. Tarr and R. S. Hopkins
An outbreak of acute schistosomiasis occurred among a group of adventurers
who took part in a rafting expedition on the Omo River in Ethiopia in
November 1981. Six (55%) of the 11 members of the expedition experienced
Schistosoma mansoni infection confirmed by stool examination. Five of these
six had symptoms compatible with acute schistosomiasis. Eosinophilia was
the most frequent sign of infection (five of six), and fever, the most
common symptom (four of six). Despite medical evaluations, illnesses had
remained undiagnosed until January 1982. This outbreak should alert
physicians to the risk of schistosomiasis among travelers to this part of
Africa and the difficulty of correct diagnosis early in the course of the
disease.
