Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease.
It is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma.They are transmitted to humans by tsetse fly (Glossina genus) bites which have acquired their infection from human beings or from animals harbouring human pathogenic parasites. The tsetse fly is less active during the hottest part of the day but will bite if disturbed. Prevent tsetse fly bites: Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Red rashes and small, raised red bumps are common at the bite mark.
Stable fly bites often feel like sharp needle pricks, and occur most often on the feet, ankles, behind the knees, and legs.
The infected insects inject parasites when they bite humans and livestock, and the parasites go to work on the victim’s brain. Tsetse fly larvae mature in 5 weeks. Permethrin-impregnated clothing and insect repellent have not been proved to be particularly effective against tsetse flies, but they will prevent other insect bites that can cause illness. The decline is attributed to better control of tsetse fly populations, as well as improved diagnosis and treatment. According to the World Health Organization, the number of reported cases dropped below 10,000 for the first time in 50 years in 2009. People suffering from this sickness become confused and start sleeping during the day. Tsetse flies carry a disease known as sleeping sickness.
When an infected tsetse fly bites humans or other mammals to feed on their blood, microscopic parasites (African trypanosomes) in the fly's saliva are transferred. Use insect repellent. In 2015, only 2,804 new cases were reported.