Sleeping Sickness/Human African Trypanosomiasis

Lab technicians, who are part of a mobile HAT Team in the Democratic Republic of Congo, execute the second step of a test for sleeping sickness. The MSF mobile HAT team spent five months testing and treating villagers for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in the northeast region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Without treatment, a person whose nervous system is under attack by the disease will suffer sleeping disorders, become disorientated and eventually die.
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Generally known as sleeping sickness, human African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic infection transmitted by tsetse flies. Tsetse flies are found in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, putting 65 million people at risk. The infection attacks the central nervous system, causing severe neurological disorders. Without treatment the disease is fatal.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 98 percent of reported cases are caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which is found in western and central Africa. The other 2 percent of cases are caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, which is found in eastern and southern Africa. In 2013, 89 percent of all cases reported were in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 2013, 6,314 cases of sleeping sickness were recorded. However, the WHO believes this to be a fraction of the real number, with cases closer to 20,000 per year.

What Causes Sleeping Sickness?

The parasite causing sleeping sickness is transmitted to humans through infected tsetse flies, which breed in warm and humid areas. Inhabiting the vast savanna across sub-Saharan Africa, tsetse flies come into contact with people, cattle, and wild animals, all acting as reservoirs for the Trypanosoma parasites.

Symptoms of Sleeping Sickness


The second stage may be characterized by more specific symptoms, such as confusion, violent behavior, or convulsions. Named after one of its most striking symptoms, patients with sleeping sickness experience an inability to sleep during the night but are often overcome by sleep during the day.

Diagnosing Sleeping Sickness




Treating Sleeping Sickness

The type of treatment depends on the stage of the disease.



Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is currently responsible for the efficient supply and distribution of all sleeping sickness drugs used in the world today. Prevention efforts such as vector control are crucial to our efforts to keep sleeping sickness at bay. However, exhaustive screenings require a major investment in human and material resources.

MSF admitted 330 patients for sleeping sickness treatment in 2014.

News & Stories About Sleeping Sickness/Human African Trypanosomiasis