Human African Trypanosomiasis

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Guinea has eliminated the Gambiense form of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) as a public health problem.
• Guinea joins seven other countries (Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Chad) that have eliminated the Gambiense form of HAT.
• Rwanda has eliminated the Rhodesiense form of HAT.

Guinea’s strategy

• Guinea’s key strategies to eliminate it include-
  • Mass screening to diagnose and treat cases early
  • Vector control measures
  • Door-to-door HAT screening
  • Community participation
  • Sustained funding from the World Health Organization and other partners

About African Trypanosomiasis (HAT):

• What it is: A vector-borne parasitic disease
  • Also known as sleeping sickness.
• Cause: Caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma
• Endemic: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Transmission: By infected Tsetse Flies

Types of HAT:

• Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: 
  • Found in 24 countries in western and central Africa.
  • It accounts for 92% of cases and causes long-term illness.
• Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense:
  • Found in 13 countries in eastern and southern Africa.
  • It accounts for 8% of cases and causes severe illness.
• Symptoms: fever, headache, joint pains and potentially serious neurological problems such as confusion and sleep disturbances
• Diagnosis and treatment are complex and require specialised skills.