Synopsis
On January 30, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Guinea for eradicating human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, marking a significant milestone in public health efforts against neglected tropical diseases.Key Takeaways
- Guinea has eradicated sleeping sickness.
- World Health Organization recognized this achievement.
- Sleeping sickness is caused by tsetse flies.
- Early diagnosis is vital for effective treatment.
- Guinea joins other nations in combating neglected tropical diseases.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed his congratulations to Guinea for successfully eradicating human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, which is classified as a neglected tropical disease.
This vector-borne parasitic ailment is transmitted through bites from infected tsetse flies.
Symptoms generally include fever, headaches, joint discomfort, and in later stages, neurological issues such as confusion, disturbed sleep cycles, and altered behavior.
Guinea's achievement marks the first elimination of a neglected tropical disease in the nation, representing a significant milestone in public health, particularly on World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, which is observed annually on January 30.
“Congratulations, #Guinea, on the eradication of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness,” Ghebreyesus stated in a post shared on the social media platform X.
“This achievement reflects the commitment of health workers, communities, and the government, serving as a source of inspiration for other nations still confronting neglected tropical diseases,” he added.
What is sleeping sickness?
Human African trypanosomiasis is caused when parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies, which acquire the parasites from humans or animals that harbor them.
The disease is attributed to two forms of parasitic protozoans.
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is present in 24 countries across West and Central Africa, accounting for over 92% of the cases.
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is found in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa, making up the remaining 8% of cases.
Efforts to combat sleeping sickness involve public health officials focusing on reducing the infection reservoirs and diminishing the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening high-risk individuals is crucial for early identification of patients.
Early diagnosis can prevent complicated and hazardous treatment in advanced stages and enhance recovery outcomes.
“The eradication of sleeping sickness is the culmination of years of dedication from the Guinean government, its partners, and local communities, integrated into the national strategy to combat all neglected tropical diseases,” remarked Dr. Oumar Diouhe, Guinea's Minister of Health and Public Hygiene.
Guinea has now joined the ranks of seven other nations recognized by the WHO for eliminating the gambiense variant of human African trypanosomiasis, including Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Côte d’Ivoire (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana (2023), and Chad (2024).
Only Rwanda has eliminated the rhodesiense variant of the disease as a public health concern, achieving this in 2022.
