Angola May 06, 2004 12:48 GMTAfrican Sleeping Sickness
An outbreak of trypanosomiasis, or African sleeping sickness, has infected patients in 14 of Angola's 18 provinces. Only the southern provinces of Kunene, Huambo, Namibe, and Huila remain unaffected by this outbreak.
In the Lukala District of the Kwanza-Norte Province alone, local news reported 41 cases between January and March 2004. Two patients died.
In 2003, Angola suffered an epidemic of African sleeping sickness that infected 3,115 people, killing 96 of them. An additional 270,000 suspected cases were recorded nationwide.
The Disease
Also known as African Trypanosomiasis and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), African sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of the tsetse fly. This insect is about the size of a honeybee and has a gray-brown color.
The early symptoms of sleeping sickness include fever, skin lesions, a rash, swelling parts of the body and swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck. Within one to four weeks, the disease progresses to the brain and can cause coma and death-- hence the name "sleeping sickness."
Risk for travelers
The disease only occurs in tropical areas of Africa, located between latitudes of 15 degrees north and 20 degrees south. Tsetse flies inhabit rural areas, living in the savannah's woodlands and thickets or in dense vegetation that grows along streams. Although international travelers are rarely infected, cases have occurred. Precautions should be taken if you are visiting game parks and remote areas.
Vaccine
No vaccine is available.
Treatment
Trypanosomiasis is treatable. If diagnosed early, the chances of full recovery are high. However, the disease can cause permanent neurological damage even after treatment. If you may have been bitten by tsetse flies and develop a high fever or other symptoms, seek early medical attention -- preferably from an infectious disease or tropical medicine specialist.
International SOS Comment
Travelers to urban areas are not at risk.
Because this is a potentially fatal disease, travelers visiting rural areas should contact local authorities and/or local inhabitants to determine which areas are infected. Avoid infected areas. The risk of contraction can also be minimized by preventing fly bites.
Avoiding tsetse fly bites
Tsetse flies are attracted to moving vehicles and dark, contrasting colors. They are NOT affected by insect repellent(s) and can bite through lightweight clothing.
Wear medium-weight clothing that covers skin, including long sleeves and long trousers. Choose neutral colors that blend with the background environment.
Travelers should seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some symptoms may appear weeks after infection, so always inform your doctor of your travel history.
