African trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness) is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. The first symptoms are seen at the site of the bite where a painful nodule can develop. Fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes and rash may also be noted. If left untreated, the disease will progress to cause body wasting, sleepiness and eventually death.
How do you catch this disease?
Sleeping sickness is transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. These flies are often found in game parks, they are about the size of a house fly. Tsetse flies are attracted to moving vehicles and will often follow safari trucks. They bite during the day time.
Incubation period:
Usually 3 days to a few weeks for the strain found in eastern and southern Africa, and several months to years in west and central Africa.
Diagnosis:
The infection can be diagnosed by blood test.
Prevention:
Keep the doors and windows of safari vehicles closed when possible. Kill any flies that enter with a 'knock down' fly spray. Repellents offer limited protection.
Treatment:
Drug treatments are available.
Fact sheet written by:
MASTA
MASTA are specialists in travel health services. Healthcare professionals can access its daily updated database of vaccine and travel health advice by registering at www.masta.org (fee applies). Travellers can search for advice and information and find a MASTA Travel Clinic at www.masta-travel-health.com
Febuxostat for the Management of Hyperuricaemia in People with Gout
Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 164 Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical...
