title: Physico-chemical investigation of consumables and environmental samples to determine the causative agent of liver disease outbreak in Tahitay Koraro Woreda, Tigray.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The occurrence of liver disease out break of unknown origin and of a significant morbidity and mortality with a major symptom of abdominal dropsy was reported among the inhabitants of Tsaeda--Emba village, Tahtay Koraro woreda, Tigray during mid December, 2005.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess if chemical intoxicants were the responsible agents for the outbreak in the affected locality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental approach towards the identification of the possible causative agent from the consumables and environmental samples collected from the affected village were determination of physico-chemical quality parameters and chemical analysis using instrumental and chromatographic techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intoxicant was found to stem from the consumption of the water from the unprotected well in which pyrrolizidine containing plant, Ageratum sp, abundantly thrives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The water source was intimately linked to the outbreak of disease and, therefore, immediate intervention and preventive measures are called for.
authors.affiliation: Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P. O. Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Asfaw
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Debella
authors.forename: Dawit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abebe
authors.forename: Frew
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tekabe
authors.forename: Ambaye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degefa
authors.forename: Assefa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desta
authors.forename: Alemtsehaye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tefera
authors.forename: Aberra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geyid
authors.forename: Kissie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mudie
authors.forename: Ashenife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tadele
authors.forename: Derebew
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Getahun
authors.forename: Teklele
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Biza
authors.forename: Tesfaye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kebede
mesh_terms: D031163:Ageratum / Q000737:chemistry; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060766:Drinking Water; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D009017:Morbidity; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Q000633:toxicity*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical