Cutaneous myiasis among jordanian soldiers in sierra leone

Abstract EN

Objective: To highlight the routes of infection for cutaneaus myiasis in order to prevent it among Jordanian soldiers in Sierra Leone.

Methods: A prospective study of 793 Jordanian soldiers among the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone was conducted, over a five-month period (May-September 2000).

A questionnaire outlining the major predisposing factors for cutaneous myiasis (an endemic tropical disease) was filled in by all soldiers.

Results: A total of 87 patients out of the 793 soldiers were infested with cutaneous myiasis (11%).

The major predisposing factors for cutaneous myiasis were: Drying clothes on sandy ground and tents keeping them exposed for a long time, wearing incompletely dried clothes, not ironing clothes before wearing them, hanging clothes in shaded areas not exposed to bright sunlight properly & wearing them immediately within 24 hours of drying.

Conclusion: Cutaneous myiasis is a communicable tropical disease.

It could be easily prevented without systemic consequences.