Sleeping Disease Essay

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I. Introduction
African Trypanosomiasis, also referred to as sleeping sickness, is a very common infectious disease transmitted by vectors in many different African countries. (1) African Trypanosomiasis is caused by a protozoa species called Trypanosoma brucei, which is a type of parasitic disease that affects both humans and other types of species and animals. (2) This disease is most common in rural areas, spread by the tsetse fly (Glossina genus). (3) The reason to this is that rural populations, which make a living by agriculture, fishing, hunting and husbandry, are most often exposed to these flies, and therefore are the most susceptible to the disease. (3)

The reason for the study of this infectious disease, is that it is very rarely …show more content…

Compared to several decades ago, transport nowadays is extremely convenient, only a click away from booking a flight. Thus, it has become easier for the spread of infectious diseases like African Trypanosomiasis. Surveillance is crucial in the controlling of the disease; tighter controls on travelling into these areas can help prevent the disease from spreading. As mentioned above, due to a lack of surveillance, there was an outbreak of sleeping sickness back in 1998, so to prevent future unwanted repetitions of this situation, the WHO and governments from different countries should take more action to ensure screening is done.

Other contributing factors include population migration, civil war, reduced healthcare financing and economic decline. (8)

VI. Conclusion
To conclude, African Trypanosomiasis is a deadly disease taking the lives of numerous people in Africa. Although the mortality rate has been declining in recent years, the risk of contacting the disease remains at a very high amount, plus, another factor, like the number of lost years due to illness of the patients should also be taken into account.

This infectious disease may not seem relevant to the population of developed countries and cities, since Africa seems like such a far away place that would not affect us, WHO and the government should see the world as a whole, and not neglect any this disease that has taken the lives of so many on this

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