IJSRP, Volume 14, Issue 2, February 2024 Edition [ISSN 2250-3153]
Laure Stella GHOMA LINGUISSI, Langarsou GUINANBEYE
Abstract:
Human African trypanosomiasis or "sleeping sickness" is a fatal disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense; transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossins) (1). There are two clinical forms: the chronic form, due to T.b. gambiense, found in West and Central Africa (98% of current cases); and the acute form, due to Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, in East and Southern Africa (remaining cases). According to WHO, an estimated 60 million people in 36 African countries are at risk. In 2009, the number of reported cases fell below 10,000 for the first time in 50 years, followed by 977 cases in 2018 (2). The disease evolves in a well-defined geographical area called "foci" where the vector, the parasite and humans cohabit. Human African Trypanosomiasis is found only in sub-Saharan Africa, in rural populations that depend on agriculture, fishing, livestock or hunting (3).