The prevalence of ectoparasites in Ethiopian immigrants

K. Y. Mumcuoglu*, J. Miller, O. Manor, F. Ben-Yshai, S. Klaus

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Newly arrived Ethiopian immigrants in Israel were screened for ectoparasitic insects and mites. Of 304 individuals examined 65.1% were infested with the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis). The infestation rate among children varied between 65 and 100%. Children aged 6-11 years were the most infested group and no differences between girls and boys were found. The infestation rate in children was significantly higher than that found in adults. Approximately 39% of those examined were infested with the body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus). The rate of infestation with this parasite was higher in adults than in children and higher in females than males. Ten percent of the immigrants examined were infested with the scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) and 4.3% with the human flea (Pulex irritans).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)371-373
Number of pages3
JournalIsrael Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume29
Issue number6-7
StatePublished - 1993

Keywords

  • Ethiopian immigrants
  • Pediculus humanus capitis
  • Pediculus humanus humanus
  • Pulex irritans
  • Sarcoptes scabiei

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