Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the Trypanosoma parasite. These parasites are passed to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies, which get the infection from humans or animals carrying the parasites. The tsetse flies are found only in rural Africa.
Early symptoms include fever, headaches, joint pains and itching. Later stages may include behavioural changes, confusion and poor coordination.
There are 2 forms of the disease: one caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, found in 24 countries in West and Central Africa, accounting for more than 92% of cases. The gambiense form is the only form of human African trypanosomiasis transmitted in Chad. There is another form of HAT caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, found in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa accounting for the remaining cases.
Early symptoms include fever, headaches, joint pains and itching. Later stages may include behavioural changes, confusion and poor coordination.
People may experience :
- Pain areas: in the joints or muscles
- Sleep: insomnia or sleepiness
- Weight: muscle loss and weakness or weight loss
- Also common: fever, headache, impaired coordination, itching, mental confusion, personality or behavior changes, skin rash, or swollen lymph nodes
The main approaches to controlling sleeping sickness include reducing the reservoirs of infection and reducing the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening of people at risk helps identify patients earlier in the disease development. Early diagnosis can help avoid complicated and risky treatments in the advanced stages, significantly improving the prognosis for a cure. Treatment involves drugs to kill the parasites.
