People have been warned about the risks of a potentially fatal but little-known disease, called human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Also referred to as “sleeping sickness” due to the effect it has on your sleeping pattern, it is transmitted to humans via the bites of infected tsetse flies.
It can only be carried by tsetse flies that have acquired trypanosoma parasites from infected humans or animals.
The main symptoms of the condition could be easily mistaken for something else and include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches.
As reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), you are at risk of the disease if you visit countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where these flies are found.
The WHO says: “Tsetse flies inhabit sub-Saharan Africa and only certain species transmit the disease. Rural populations which depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are the most exposed.”
Travellers who spend a lot of time outdoors or visit game parks in sub-Saharan Africa are also at risk of getting infected, The Mirror reports. There is no vaccine or medicine that prevents African trypanosomiasis.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of the condition are fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If left untreated, the disease can cause death.
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In its later stages, HAT can cause behaviour changes, confusion, sensory disturbances and poor coordination. The WHO adds: “Sleep cycle disturbance, which gives the disease its name, is a prominent feature.”
Depending on the parasite subspecies, HAT takes two forms, the WHO explains. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which is found in 24 countries of west and central Africa, currently accounts for 92 percent of reported cases and causes a chronic illness.
A person can be infected for months or even years without major signs or symptoms – and when evident symptoms emerge, often the disease is advanced with the central nervous system already affected, making it a silent killer.
The other form is Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, which is found in 13 countries of eastern and southern Africa accounts for eight percent of reported cases and causes an acute disease. The first symptoms emerge a few weeks or months after infection, and the disease develops quickly, often invading other organs including the brain.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on the form of the disease and its stage. It is more likely to treat HAT successfully if symptoms are spotted early. One of the most common drugs used to treat first-stage T.B. gambiense infection is Pentamidine. Other drugs used include suramin, melarsoprol, eflornithine, and nifurtimox when used in combination with eflornithine.
After treatment, patients should be closely followed for 24 months and monitored for relapse because parasites may remain viable and reproduce the disease many months afterwards.
However, there are hopes that a new experimental drug could help eradicate the disease. Known as acoziborole, this drug is taken by mouth in just a single dose. It is being trialled across the DRC and Guinea.
According to Science News, following a small trial carried out last year, the drug was found to be safe and effective. The results of a larger trial, which is currently being carried out, are expected by the end of this year.