Have you ever heard that an insect bite can make you very tired? Well, it’s not a myth…

Photo Credits: Doctors Without Borders, Oregon State University

Name
Trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness)

Transmission
Through the bite of an infected tsetse fly

Geography
In 36 sub-Saharan African countries and there are two strains:

• West African trypanosomiasis, (aka Gambian sleeping sickness) is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and is found in 24 countries in west and central Africa
• East African trypanosomiasis (aka Rhodesian sleeping sickness) is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and is found in 13 countries in eastern and southern Africa

Incubation Period
1 – 3 weeks after infection

Signs and Symptoms
Phase One (peripheral symptoms)

• Red sore at site of bite
• Fever
• Extreme fatigue
• Swollen lymph glands
• Aching muscles and joints
• Headaches
• Irritability

Phase Two (central nervous system symptoms)

• Changes in personality
• Altered sleep patterns
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Difficulty walking and talking

Note: West African trypanosomiasis progresses much slower than East African trypanosomiasis. It can take 1-2 years to reach the central nervous system

Diagnosis
Laboratory testing to find the parasite in body tissue or body fluids including blood and spinal fluid

Treatment
Medicines are available to cure the disease, but patients’ body fluids must be monitored for up to 24 months after treatment as the parasites may remain in their system and reproduce the disease

Prognosis

• If the diagnosis is made early enough to prevent the disease from progressing to the neurological stage, complicated and risky treatments can be avoided and patient outcomes are good
• If not treated, African sleeping sickness can lead to death

Prevention: What Can You Do?

• Minimize contact with tsetse flies by covering your arms and legs in infested areas and wearing insect repellant (Note: Tsetse flies like bright and dark colors so wear neutral colors in infested areas. They can bite through clothing and are attracted to motion and dust from moving vehicles)
• There are no vaccines available
• Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you have symptoms of African sleeping sickness

Sources:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs259/en/
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/