Trypanosomiasis In Africa

Trypanosomiasis in Africa is also known as African Sleeping Sickness and it may pose some risk to hunters in tropical rural areas.

Trypanosomiasis is a systemic disease caused by the parasite transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly.
There are 2 varieties of Trypanosomiasis in Africa - the Rhodesian form of East Africa which is transmitted to humans who live or travel near wild animals, from wild animals, via the tsetse flies that breed in bush country. The Gambian form is found in West and Central frica and is transmitted from person to person by the tsetse flies that breed along rivers.
Sleeping Sickness occurs in a belt across Africa, north of South Africa and south of Eygpt, Libya and Algeria.
Tsetse flies inhabit rural areas, living in the woodland and thickets of the savannah and the dense vegetation along streams.
Infection of international travelers occurs but is rare.
The first sign of infection may be a boil-like swelling at the site of a tsetse fly bite about 5 or more days after the bite. Early bite swellings are usually an allergic reaction and not a sign of trypanosomiasis infection. Fever may develop within 2-3 weeks and if untreated, leads to the involvement of the nervous system and the drowsiness which give the disease it's name.
No vaccine is available to prevent this disease.
Tsetse flies are attracted to moving vehicles and dark, contrasting colors.
You are advised to wear clothing of wrist and ankle length that is made of medium-weight fabric in neutral colors that blend with the background environment.
They are not affected by insect repellents (although some hunters swear by certain repellent measures) and can bite through lightweight clothing.
Areas of heavy infestation tend to be sporadically distributed. Avoidance of such areas is the best means of protection.

Tsetse Fly