A brief overview of African Trypanosomiasis

Sleeping sickness is a disease caused by parasites called trypanosomes.

There are two main types of trypanosomes that cause human disease: Trypanosoma brucei Gambiae and Trypanosoma brucei Rhodesiense.

Gambiae is the most common form of African trypanosomiasis, accounting for 97% of cases, while Rhodesiense accounts for 3% of cases.

📉 Cases of African Trypanosomiasis dramatically declined in 2014.

🦟 The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected Sipsey fly.

🌍 The flies are mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas.

⚠️ Sleeping sickness, also known as African Trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic disease that affects the blood, lymphatic system, and organs like the heart, liver, spleen, and eyes.

🩸 In the first stage, symptoms include fever, muscle and joint pain, headaches, itching, and enlarged lymph nodes. It can also lead to inflammation of the heart, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and eye disease.

💤 In the second stage, patients may experience neurological symptoms, personality changes, weakness, and sleep disturbances. The disease progressively worsens with patients sleeping most of the time, hence the name 'sleeping sickness.' If left untreated, it can be fatal.

🔑 African Trypanosomiasis has two stages: the first stage can last a few weeks or several years depending on the type of parasite, while the second stage is usually characterized by symptoms.

🔬 Diagnosing the disease involves examining blood under a microscope, but it is more challenging for Gambian see infections. Another method is examining fluid from a lymph node.

⚠️ Tests like the card agglutination test can be used for screening infections, and PCR tests are also available for diagnosis.

🔑 The medication for African Trypanosomiasis depends on the type of parasite and stage of the disease, with more toxic medication used in the second stage.

🌍 Preventive measures at both individual and community levels focus on avoiding contact with the parasite's environment, wearing appropriate clothing, and using insect repellents.

💉 Currently, there is no vaccine or preventative drugs available for African Trypanosomiasis.

🌍 Intense efforts have been made to control sleeping sickness, a neglected tropical disease.

🐜 Controlling tsetse flies is essential in reducing the spread of the disease.

💉 Effective surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment are crucial in reducing the number of people with the disease.