African Trypanosomiasis

African Trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease that occurs in East, West, and Central

Africa. It is also known as African sleeping disease, or sleeping sickness. There are two forms of

the disease: East African Trypanosomiasis and West African Trypanosomiasis. Both are named

for the region of Africa in which they were historically discovered (CDC- African

Trypanosomiasis). African Trypanosomiasis is caused by a parasite named Trypanosoma brucei.

The sub-species of Trypanosoma brucei are the cause for the two forms of the disease. The sub-
species of Trypanosoma brucei that causes East African Trypanosomiasis is Trypanosoma

brucei rhodesiene (CDC- East African Trypanosomiasis). The sub-species of Trypanosoma

brucei that causes West African Trypanosomiasis is Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (CDC-

West African Trypanosomiasis).

African Trypanosomiasis is spread through the tsetse fly. This fly includes all of the

species under the genus Glossina. The tsetse is a large fly found only on the Africa continent.

Tsetse flies appear similar to normal house flies, but have two major differences. A tsetse fly’s

wings are completely folded over one another when it is resting. A tsetse fly also has a long

proboscis (or trunk) that extends into a bulb-like shape. There are 29-31 species or subspecies of

the fly. Among all this variations, only 6 have been identified as serving as a vector for the

disease. The fly is approximated to be extremely old, as fossils of it have been found (WHO |

The Vector (tsetse Fly)).

At the start of infection, the trypanosomes reproduce within subcutaneous tissues. These

subcutaneous tissues include blood and lymph (WHO | African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping

sickness)). This primary stage, known as a haemolymphatic phase, includes fever, headaches,

itching, and joint pain. The more serious damage to the body occurs in the secondary phase. The

secondary phase of African Trypanosomiasis is when the parasite begins to cross the blood-brain

barrier and begin to affect the central nervous system. This stage is called the neurological phase

and is generally where the main symptoms of the disease begin to appear. These main symptoms

include poor coordination, sensory disturbances, and confusion. Another symptom of the second

phase of African Trypanosomiasis is disruption in the sleep cycle. This infamous symptom is

what gives the “sleeping sickness” its name and notoriety (WHO | African Trypanosomiasis

(sleeping sickness)).
 As mentioned earlier, there are two forms of African Trypanosomiasis: East African

Trypanosomiasis and West African Trypanosomiasis. The major difference between the two is

the time that the disease takes to incite symptoms. In West African Trypanosomiasis, which

makes up about 90% of the cases of African trypanosomiasis, the infection can occur months or

even years before main symptoms of the disease begin to occur. When the symptoms do

immerge, the disease is usually already in advanced stages. In East African Trypanosomiasis,

which makes up about 10% of the cases of African Trypanosomiasis, the primary signs and

symptoms appear after a few months or weeks. East African Trypanosomiasis matures quickly

and invades the central nervous system (WHO | African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)).

There are no vaccinations for African trypanosomiasis. Without treatment, the infected

person will die from the disease. Again, the rate of death depends on the form of the parasite that

one happens to be infected by. Death for East African Trypanosomiasis occurs within months of

infection (East African Trypanosomiasis: East Fact Sheet - CDC DPD). This is different for

West African Trypanosomiasis, in which death occurs several years after infection (West African

Trypanosomiasis: Fact Sheet - CDC DPD). The disease can be treated and cured, even though

there are no immunizations available for it. The earlier the disease is recognized, the easier it is

to cure because of the cost and effectiveness of drugs at earlier stages of the disease. When the

disease enters the neurological stage, it is much more costly and risky to treat (WHO | African

Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)).

Those most at risk are tourists, hunters, and those present at game parks within Eastern

and Western Africa. Constant exposure to tsetse fly bites greatly increases the chances of an

individual contracting the disease. Most cases occur in rural areas, and 95% of infections are

reported from Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia. The main way to avoid contracting the
disease is to steer clear of the tsetse fly and other insects by wearing proper clothing, inspecting

vehicles before entering, avoiding bushes, and using insect repellant (East African

Trypanosomiasis: East Fact Sheet - CDC DPD) (West African Trypanosomiasis: Fact Sheet -

CDC DPD).

African trypanosomiasis is a serious disease and efforts are being made to stop the spread

of it. One of the major difficulties in preventing this disease is the lack of regular examination

and access to health centers in the areas where the disease is spread (WHO | African

Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)). Luckily, those of us living in America have a next to

impossible chance of becoming infected.