Control and surveillance of african trypanosomiasis: WHO TRS N° 881

Overview

A WHO Expert Committee on the Control and Surveillance of Afri­can Trypanosomiasis met in Geneva from 21 to 27 November 1995. Dr R.H. Henderson, Assistant Director-General, opened the meeting on behalf of Dr H. Nakajima, Director-General of WHO.

Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense, which are transmitted to humans by the bite of various species of Glossina (tsetse fly). The disease is found only in sub­Saharan Africa between latitudes 14°N and 29°S, within the limits of the geographical distribution of the tsetse fly. There are around 200 discrete endemic foci in 36 countries. An estimated 60 million people are at risk with an estimated 300 000 new cases each year. However, current estimates indicate that less than 4 million people are under surveillance and fewer than 30 000 new cases are diagnosed and treated each year.

At the present meeting, the Committee noted the progress made in the development and evaluation of new tools for the control and surveillance of sleeping sickness, the improved understanding of the epidemiology of the disease, and the training of research scientists from endemic countries through funding provided by the UNDP/ World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. However, continued support from WHO and other international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and donors is needed for introducing the necessary tools into national control programmes and for supporting health systems research related to trypanosomiasis control.