What is African trypanosomiasis?
There are two types of African trypanosomiasis (also called sleeping
sickness); each is named for the region of Africa in which they are found. The
disease is caused by a parasite named Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
(tri-PAN-o-SO-ma BREW-see-eye rho-DEE-see-ense), carried by the tsetse
fly.Worldwide, approximately 25,000 new cases of both East and West African
trypanosomiasis are reported to the World Health Organization each year.
However, many cases are not reported due to a lack of infrastructure and the
true number of new cases is undoubtedly much higher. Since 1967, thirty-six
cases of East African trypanosomiasis have been reported within the United
States, all among individuals who had traveled to Africa.
How is African trypanosomiasis spread?
An individual will get East African trypanosomiasis if they are bitten by a
tsetse fly infected with the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense parasite. The
tsetse fly is common only to Africa.
An individual gets West African trypanosomiasis through the bite of an
infected tsetse fly, found only in Africa. On rare occasions, a pregnant
woman may pass the infection to her baby, or an individual may become infected
through a blood transfusion or organ transplant.
Is African trypanosomiasis a serious illness?
Yes. If a person fails to receive medical treatment for East African
trypanosomiasis, death will occur within several weeks to months. West African
trypanosomiasis is fatal if it is not treated.
Where can you become infected with African trypanosomiasis?
East African trypanosomiasis is found in parts of Eastern and Central
Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, Zimbabwe,
and Botswana. Areas where infection is spread are largely determined by the
location of the infected tsetse fly and wild animal population.
West African trypanosomiasis can be contracted in parts of Western and
Central Africa. The tsetse fly lives only in Africa; areas where infection is
spread are largely determined by where the infected tsetse fly is found.
What are the symptoms of African trypanosomiasis?
East Aftrican trypanosomiasis: A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful and
can develop into a red sore, also called a chancre (SHAN-ker). Fever, severe
headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching
muscles and joints are common symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some people
develop a skin rash. Progressive confusion, personality changes, slurred
speech, seizures, and difficulty in walking and talking occur when infection
has invaded the central nervous system. If left untreated, infection becomes
worse and death will occur within several weeks or months.
West African trypanosomiasis: A bite by the tsetse fly is often
painful. Occasionally, within 1 to 2 weeks, the infective bite develops
into a red sore, also called a chancre (SHAN-ker). Several weeks to months
later, other symptoms of sleeping sickness occur. These include fever, rash,
swelling around the eye and hands, severe headaches, extreme fatigue, aching
muscles and joints. You may develop swollen lymph nodes on the back of your
neck called Winterbottom's sign. Weight loss occurs as the illness progresses.
Progressive confusion, personality changes, slurred speech, irritability, loss
of concentration, seizures, and difficulty in walking and talking occurs when
infection has invaded the central nervous system. These symptoms become worse
as the illness progresses. Sleeping for long periods of the day and having
insomnia at night is a common symptom. If left untreated, infection becomes
worse and death will occur within several months to years after infection.