ABSTRACT
The distribution of endemic human trypanosomiasis and its tsetse vectors appears to be limited to southern and southwestern Ethiopia. Human trypanosomiasis in Ethiopia is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. This chapter describes the specific areas from where human trypanosomiasis has been reported. The habitats of several species of Glossina in western Ethiopia are associated with high grass savanna, low tree savanna, and the bamboo zones. Most people affected by the 1968–1970 epidemic were of the Anuak tribe. In addition to most domestic animals and man, a number of wild animals serve as reservoir hosts of trypanosomes in Ethiopia. Some of the wild animals inhabiting the tsetse areas of Ethiopia include wart hogs, elephants, greater kudus, duikkers, buffalos, lions, waterbucks, crocodiles, hyenas, hartebeests, hippopotamuses, baboons, reedbucks, lesser kudos, bush pigs, and leopards. The record indicates that there are members of some societies are apparently tolerant to the disease-producing effects of trypanosomes.
