African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a disease caused by a parasite and spread by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. Infections begin with mild to moderate symptoms like fever and ...

This malady should not be confused with African sleeping sickness, which is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly, but is a frequent accompaniment of influenza and other winter diseases.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and other life-threatening infections caused by microscopic parasites borne by insects such as the tsetse fly.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and other life-threatening infections caused by microscopic parasites borne by insects such as the tsetse fly.

According to WHO, Kenya has eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem. The agency targets 2030 when most African countries would have eliminated the disease with zero transmission.

Sleeping sickness initially manifests as fever, headaches, joint pain and itching. After the parasite reaches the central nervous system, the disease can progress to spur severe neurological symptoms.