African trypanosomiasis is also sometimes referred to as sleeping sickness. There are two types of African trypanosomiasis – East African and West African. Both are caused by parasites. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense causes East African trypanosomiasis, whilst West African trypanosomiasis is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma gambiense. Both are carried and transmitted by the tsetse fly, which is native to parts of rural Africa.
Not all tsetse flies are infected with these parasites, but a bite from one of these insects carrying either parasite can lead to a fatal infection if it is not treated. Thankfully, cases of East African and West African trypanosomiasis are low. Hot spots for both these rare illnesses include not only Eastern Africa but Southeastern Africa as well as West Africa, central Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Symptoms begin to show once the parasites have entered the blood and lymphatic system of an infected individual. The second stage of the disease begins when the parasites make their way to the central nervous system. East African trypanosomiasis is a more acute disease, and the second stage is reached within a few weeks. West African trypanosomiasis progresses at a much slower rate.
Severe headaches, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, and eventual neurological symptoms such as confusion can all appear if the condition is left untreated. Death can occur within months of the initial bite that sets the infection in motion.
East African trypanosomiasis symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks. West African trypanosomiasis symptoms progress much slower, with the most noticeable symptoms appearing within a few months to a year of the insect bite.
The causes of the two types of African trypanosomiasis are down to two different parasites found in the environment that are carried and transmitted to hosts via bites from the tsetse fly. Once the parasites enter the bloodstream, they eventually invade the lymphatic system and the central nervous system creating symptoms.
Risk factors include visiting or living in rural parts of Africa that have a large population of these flies. Furthermore, the more bites an individual suffers, the higher the chances are of being bitten by a tsetse fly that is a carrier of the disease-carrying parasite.
Diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis includes a physical examination and a detailed breakdown of the symptoms present. If the disease is suspected, then blood tests and a spinal tap can be performed to locate the parasitic infection.
Several antiparasitic drugs can be used to treat both types of African trypanosomiasis. A combination of drugs can be tried, and they can be administered intravenously. Some are better tolerated than others and produce fewer side effects.
Prevention involves avoiding tsetse fly territory or covering skin with clothing that can prevent insects from biting the skin. Clothing should not be brightly coloured as this can attract more tsetse flies.
Bushes are used as hiding areas for these flies during hot weather, so avoiding them and other undergrowth can lessen the chances of suffering a bite from these disease-carrying insects.