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In the map above, areas where podoconiosis has been confirmed in the highlands of Ethiopia are denoted. The city of Soddo, within the Wolaita region and down country from the capital city Addis Ababa, is where Mossy Foot is headquartered. The need for treatment of Mossy Foot beyond Soddo is great.
Podoconiosis in Ethiopia
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All though podoconiosis is found in many tropical countries in Africa, and a few in central America, Ethiopia is one of the countries most heavily affected by podoconiosis. An estimated 1 million Ethiopians, mostly subsistence farmers, are affected in the highlands.
Podoconiosis has huge social and economic affects on individuals and communities. In 2005, the disease was estimated to cost Wolaita zone (an area of 1.5 million people) $16 million per year. In areas with irritant soil and subsistence farming, it is estimated to affect up to 5% of the population, even more common than HIV in these areas.