ABSTRACT
Louse-borne is a common cause of acute febrile illness throughout the country and especially in the highlands. Flea-borne typhus is also widespread but generally runs a milder course and is thus often overlooked. Louse-borne typhus is caused by Rickettsia prowazedd and is transmitted through the bite and feces of human body and head lice. A young patient, possibly an immigrant or one with poor socioeconomic status, presenting with a stroke or gangrene should be worked up for possible typhus. Typhus remains a serious health problem in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia the differential diagnosis of acute febrile illness includes meninococcemia, measles, typhoid fever, secondary syphilis, relapsing fever, rubella, and malaria. Serological tests, particularly the Weil-Felix test, are commonly used in hospitals for diagnosis of rickettsial infections. Interruption of infection chains by delousing and improving living conditions is the main control measure in louse-borne typhus.
