Outbreak investigation of epidemic dropsy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

Background: A 17 year old female patient who presented to a tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa with bilateral painful leg swelling of two months and shortness of breath, associated with cough and haemoptysis of one week duration was reported to the Ministry of Health and the Addis Ababa Health Bureau. The condition was later detected in 18 individuals from 4 households indicating occurrence of an outbreak of unknown cause in Addis Ababa which lasted during May-July 2008.

Objective: An outbreak investigation was initiated to identify the cause and prevent further spread, morbidity and mortality.

Outbreak of epidemic dropsy in Ethiopia: the clinical and therapeutic observation.

Introduction: Epidemic dropsy results from ingestion of argemone oil contaminated food staffs. The oil from Argemone Mexican seeds contains toxic alkaloids called sanguinarine and dehydrosangunarine. These cause wide spread capillary dilatation, proliferation and leakages.