Why in news?
The World Health Organization certified Kenya as free of human African trypanosomiasis in 2025, making it the tenth African country to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. This milestone brought attention to the disease and ongoing control efforts.
What is sleeping sickness?
Human African trypanosomiasis, commonly called sleeping sickness, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. It occurs only in sub‑Saharan Africa and is transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse flies.
Transmission and stages
- The parasite enters the bloodstream when a tsetse fly bites. It multiplies in the blood and lymphatic system (first stage).
- If untreated, it crosses the blood–brain barrier and infects the central nervous system (second stage). This causes neurological symptoms.
Symptoms
- Early stage: Fever, headaches, joint pains, itching and swollen lymph nodes.
- Second stage: Confusion, behaviour changes, poor coordination and disruptions of the sleep cycle (hence the name “sleeping sickness”). Without treatment it is usually fatal.
Control and elimination
The disease is now confined to a small number of African countries. Control strategies include screening of at‑risk populations, prompt treatment with drugs such as pentamidine and eflornithine, and control of tsetse flies through insecticide traps and sterile insect techniques. Elimination demonstrates the success of sustained public health efforts and international cooperation.