Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified Kenya as having eliminated Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness. This marks a significant milestone in the global effort to combat this parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

About Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT):

• Transmission: HAT is a parasitic disease spread through the bite of an infected tsetse fly.

• Other Name: It is commonly known as sleeping sickness due to the neurological effects it causes, leading to extreme sleep disturbances.

Symptoms of HAT:

• Early Symptoms: Fever, headaches, and joint pain.

• Advanced Symptoms: As the disease progresses, it can cause neurological issues such as confusion, disrupted sleep, and behavioral changes.

  • In severe cases, it leads to multi-organ involvement, including the brain.

  • The disease has two forms based on the subspecies of the parasite:

Forms of HAT:

1. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense:

   • Found in 24 countries in West and Central Africa.

   • Accounts for 92% of reported cases and causes a chronic form of the disease.

   • Infected individuals may go months or even years without showing severe symptoms, making early detection difficult. By the time symptoms appear, the central nervous system is often already affected.

2. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense:

   • Found in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa.

   • Accounts for 8% of reported cases and causes a more acute form of the disease, progressing rapidly.

At Risk Populations:

• Rural communities that depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting are the most exposed to the tsetse fly and, consequently, to HAT.

Progress in Eliminating HAT:

The WHO has successfully validated the elimination of the gambiense form of HAT in several countries, including:

• Togo (2020)

• Benin (2021)

• Ivory Coast (2021)

• Uganda (2022)

• Equatorial Guinea (2022)

• Ghana (2023)

• Chad (2024)

• Guinea (2025)

This elimination marks a major achievement in public health efforts and global disease control, bringing the world closer to eradicating this disease.

Significance of the WHO Certification for Kenya:

Kenya's certification for elimination is a huge milestone, reflecting the country's success in controlling the disease and improving healthcare infrastructure in affected regions. This success story provides hope for other nations still battling HAT.