Guinea has officially joined Ghana, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad in eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as a public health issue. This achievement was confirmed following validation by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Togo eliminated the disease in 2020, followed by Benin and Côte d’Ivoire in 2021, Uganda and Equatorial Guinea in 2022, Ghana in 2023, and Chad in 2024. The rhodesiense form of the disease was also declared eliminated as a public health problem in Rwanda, with WHO validation in 2022.
The gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, the only type transmitted in Guinea, becomes the first neglected tropical disease to be eradicated in the country. This milestone is a significant achievement in public health, coinciding with the observance of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on January 30.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the announcement is a testament to the global progress made in combating neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for countries still fighting human African trypanosomiasis.
“Today’s announcement is both a testament to the global progress against neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for nations still battling human African trypanosomiasis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of infected tsetse flies. Early symptoms include fever, headaches, and joint pain, while more severe stages can lead to neurological issues such as confusion, disturbed sleep, and changes in behavior.
There are two forms of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT): one caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which is found in 24 countries across West and Central Africa and accounts for more than 92% of cases, and the other caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, present in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa, responsible for the remaining cases.
The primary strategies for controlling sleeping sickness include reducing infection reservoirs and minimizing the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening individuals at risk plays a critical role in early diagnosis, enabling treatment before the disease reaches its advanced stage. Early diagnosis helps avoid complicated and risky treatment procedures while improving the chances of a successful cure.
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