title: An investigation of a cholera epidemic in Butiama village of the Mara Region, Tanzania.
abstract: An outbreak of cholera between 19 March and 10 April 1986 in Butiama village of the Mara Region, Tanzania, was investigated in a case-control study, to try to find out the source of infection and its mode of transmission. Sixty-seven patients, including 11 deaths occurring before 29 March, were used to describe the epidemic, but 26 of the first patients were interviewed using a questionnaire, and each was compared with age and sex-matched healthy next-door neighbours. They were questioned about likely risk factors. Though the first two patients were recorded from 2 of the 4 zones of the village, from the second day onwards they came concurrently from all the 4 zones. Also, the number of patients from each zone did not vary significantly. The number of patients reached its peak on 22 March. Females were five times more infected than males, but the case fatality rate was similar. Vibrio cholerae was not isolated from water and fish-scale samples, but a history of handling and eating fish, and attendance at social gatherings were significantly associated with the transmission of cholera. The origin of the outbreak appeared to be either multifocal or a common source with concurrent multiple exists.
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Killewo
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Amsi
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mhalu
mesh_terms: D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology