Epidemiology of leishmaniases in Kenya: V. Wider search for breeding habitats of phlebotomine sandflies in three kala-azar endemic foci.

Intensive investigations on the breeding sites of phebotomine sandflies were undertaken in Kitui, Machakos and Baringo foci of leishmaniases in Kenya. A total of 473 soil samples weighing approximately 4,244 kg were collected from termite hills, animal burrows, tree hole, human dwellings, animal enclosures, under tree canopy, open ground, chicken coop and rock crevices habitats and incubated in the field laboratories. 267 samples weighing approximately 3002 kg were positive, producing 6419 sandflies comprising 17 different species. This study resulted in the identification of both perennial and seasonal breeding sites of most of the phlebotomine sandfly species found in these three leishmaniases foci.