Miya Pearson
African sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a disease caused by a parasite. It is passed on by the bite of an infected tsetse fly, which is found in some African countries. The parasite causes the sleep/wake cycle to be disrupted, alongside body temperature and hormonal regulation. The disease occurs in two stages: the first stage causes mild, flu-like symptoms, while the second stage causes more severe symptoms that affect the brain and central nervous system. Without treatment, sleeping sickness is usually fatal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Sleeping Sickness |
| Cause | Parasitic infection, specifically the parasite Trypanosoma brucei |
| Transmission | Bites from infected tsetse flies (glossina species); mother-to-child; mechanical transmission by other blood-sucking insects |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa, including rural parts of Eastern and Southern Africa |
| Types | West African Sleeping Sickness, East African Sleeping Sickness |
| Symptoms | Fever, headaches, itchiness, joint pains, behavioural changes, confusion, sensory disturbances, poor coordination, sleep cycle disturbances, etc. |
| Diagnosis | Blood tests, spinal tap (lumbar puncture), serological tests, clinical examination, etc. |
| Treatment | Pentamidine, suramin, eflornithine, nifurtimox, fexinidazole, melarsoprol |
| Prevention | Insect repellents, protective clothing, avoiding tsetse-dense areas, bush clearance, wild game culling, etc. |
| Severity | Almost 100% fatality rate without prompt diagnosis and treatment |
| Cases | DRC: 61%; Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Malawi, South Sudan: 10-100 cases; Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia: 1-10 cases |
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What You'll Learn
- African sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease transmitted by tsetse flies
- It is also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT)
- The disease occurs in two stages, with the second stage causing severe neurological symptoms
- There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent African sleeping sickness
- The best way to prevent infection is to avoid insect bites from tsetse flies
African sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease transmitted by tsetse flies
African sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of tsetse flies. It is caused by the species Trypanosoma brucei. Humans are infected by two types, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR). The former is responsible for over 92% of reported cases and causes long-term, chronic infections, whereas the latter causes acute infections that develop rapidly over a few weeks.
Tsetse flies (Glossina species) are found only in rural, sub-Saharan Africa, and only certain species transmit the disease. They acquire the parasites from infected humans or animals. The risk of infection from a tsetse fly bite is estimated to be less than 0.1%. However, without prompt diagnosis and treatment, the disease is almost 100% fatal.
The disease occurs in two stages. The first stage, known as the haemolymphatic phase, is characterised by mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, itchiness, joint pains, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. This stage occurs shortly after the parasites enter the body and multiply, triggering an inflammatory reaction.
The second stage, the neurological phase, begins when the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system, including the brain. This results in more severe symptoms such as behavioural changes, confusion, sensory disturbances, poor coordination, and sleep disturbances. The disruption of the sleep-wake cycle is a prominent feature of the disease, giving it its name.
Diagnosis of African sleeping sickness involves detecting the parasite in blood samples, lymph node fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid obtained by a lumbar puncture. Treatment options include pentamidine or suramin for the first stage and eflornithine or a combination of nifurtimox and eflornithine for the second stage. Fexinidazole is a newer treatment option that can be taken orally for either stage of the disease.
Prevention of African sleeping sickness primarily focuses on avoiding tsetse fly bites. Recommendations include wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, avoiding tsetse-dense areas, and implementing bush clearance methods. Systematic screening of at-risk communities is also crucial for early detection and treatment.
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It is also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT)
African sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a parasitic disease caused by the species Trypanosoma brucei. Humans are infected by two types, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR). The former is responsible for over 92% of reported cases, while the latter causes the remaining 2% of reported cases.
HAT is transmitted to humans by the bites of tsetse flies (glossina) which have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. Tsetse flies inhabit rural parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and only certain species transmit the disease. Communities most at risk of HAT live in these rural areas where the tsetse fly is found, and they often depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting to survive. The risk of infection from a tsetse fly bite is estimated to be less than 0.1%, but it is still recommended to take precautions such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellants, and avoiding tsetse-dense areas.
HAT has two stages. The first stage, also known as the haemolymphatic phase, occurs shortly after the parasites enter the body and multiply, causing an inflammatory reaction. This leads to swelling of the skin and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck. This immune response results in symptoms such as fever, headaches, joint pains, and itching. The second stage, or neurological phase, begins when the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system, including the brain. This results in behavioural changes, confusion, poor coordination, and disturbance of sleep, which gives the disease its name. Without treatment, HAT is usually fatal, although rare cases of self-cure have been reported.
Diagnosis of HAT involves detecting the parasite in a blood smear or lymph node fluid. A lumbar puncture is often needed to differentiate between the first and second stages of the disease. Treatment is easier when the disease is detected early, and medication is available. However, there is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent HAT, and the best prevention method is to avoid insect bites.
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The disease occurs in two stages, with the second stage causing severe neurological symptoms
African sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of tsetse flies. The disease occurs in two stages, with the second stage causing severe neurological symptoms.
The first stage of the disease, known as the haemolymphatic phase, occurs shortly after the parasites enter the body and begin to multiply. This stage is characterised by an inflammatory reaction, which causes swelling of the skin and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck. Other symptoms may include fever, headaches, joint pains, and itching.
The second stage, or neurological phase, begins when the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the spinal fluid, infecting the central nervous system, including the brain. This results in severe neurological symptoms such as behavioural changes, confusion, sensory disturbances, poor coordination, and sleep cycle disturbances. The sleep cycle disturbances, including sleeping during the day and insomnia at night, give the disease its name.
The disease can be effectively treated with medication if detected early, before the onset of neurological symptoms. However, without treatment, African sleeping sickness is usually fatal.
To prevent infection, individuals in affected areas are advised to avoid insect bites by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, and staying away from tsetse-dense areas. Systematic screening of at-risk communities through mobile clinics or fixed screening centres is also crucial for early detection and control of the disease.
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There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent African sleeping sickness
African sleeping sickness, or African trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by the species Trypanosoma brucei. Humans are infected by two types, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR). The disease is transmitted to humans by the bites of tsetse flies, which are found in sub-Saharan Africa.
There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent African sleeping sickness. The risk of infection from a tsetse fly bite is minor (less than 0.1%), but it is still important to take precautions to avoid being bitten. The best way to prevent infection is to protect oneself from insect bites. Experts recommend wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Thick, neutral-coloured clothing is best as tsetse flies can bite through material and are attracted to bright and dark contrasting colours. Using bed nets while sleeping and avoiding tsetse-dense areas can also help prevent bites.
While there is no vaccine or medicine for prevention, medicine is available to treat African sleeping sickness. Treatment is most effective when the disease is detected early, before neurological symptoms occur. Early diagnosis is important to prevent the disease from progressing to the second stage, which involves more complex and risky treatment. Treatment options for the second stage include dosages of eflornithine or a combination of nifurtimox and eflornithine. Fexinidazole is a more recent treatment that can be taken orally for either stage of TbG.
African sleeping sickness is a serious disease that can result in death if left untreated. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that there were 977 new cases in 2018. The disease occurs regularly in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of about 70 million people in 36 countries at risk.
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The best way to prevent infection is to avoid insect bites from tsetse flies
African sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of tsetse flies. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid insect bites from tsetse flies. Here are some detailed instructions to avoid insect bites from tsetse flies:
Firstly, it is important to wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of thick fabric. Neutral colours like khaki or olive are preferable as tsetse flies are attracted to bright and dark contrasting colours. Wearing socks and a hat can also provide additional protection.
Secondly, using insect repellents can help keep insects away from your body. Repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) are effective against tsetse flies. Applying repellents on exposed skin and following the instructions on the product label is recommended.
Thirdly, sleeping under bed nets can provide a barrier against insect bites. When resting outdoors or during daytime naps, using a bed net can offer protection from tsetse flies.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid tsetse-dense areas, especially during the hottest part of the day when the flies are most active. Staying clear of bushes, tall grass, and areas with stagnant water can reduce the likelihood of encountering tsetse flies.
Furthermore, when travelling in vehicles, it is important to check for the presence of tsetse flies inside the vehicle before entering. Tsetse flies are attracted to the dust created by moving vehicles, so keeping windows closed and using air conditioning, if available, can help prevent their entry.
Lastly, bush clearance methods and wild game culling can be employed in affected areas to reduce the population of tsetse flies and lower the risk of infection.
While these measures significantly reduce the chances of being bitten by a tsetse fly, it is important to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if any symptoms of African sleeping sickness develop.
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Frequently asked questions
African sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a disease caused by a parasite. It is passed on by the bite of an infected tsetse fly.
The symptoms of African sleeping sickness are divided into two stages. The first stage is characterised by fever, headaches, itchiness, joint pains, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The second stage includes confusion, poor coordination, numbness, and trouble sleeping.
Treatment for African sleeping sickness depends on the stage of the disease. Pentamidine or suramin are used to treat the first stage, while dosages of eflornithine or a combination of nifurtimox and eflornithine can be used to treat the second, neurological stage.
There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent African sleeping sickness. The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid being bitten by tsetse flies. This can be done by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellants, and avoiding tsetse-dense areas.
![Historic Framed Print, [Colonial empire: African dresser giving bare-breasted girl, who was found to be infected with sleeping sickness, an injection], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41uhUafC9uL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
