A small outbreak of louse typhus in Masaka District, Uganda

Abstract

A small outbreak of louse typhus is reported in about 200 herdsmen of Rwandan origin living in poor hygienic conditions, in three cattle kraals in Masaka District, Uganda. A total of 82 persons was studied. Of these 46 gave a history of febrile illness and 36 gave no such history. Of the 46 people with febrile illness 39 had a positive complement fixation tests for Rickettsia prowazeki and among these 13 were admitted to hospital with clinical features of typhus. The disease was successfully treated with tetracycline and chloramphenicol and effectively controlled in the community.