What happens if you get bitten by a tsetse fly?

A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful and can develop into a red sore, also called a chancre. Fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints are common symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some people develop a skin rash.

Is Chagas a African?

Trypanosomiasis is an infection caused by the Trypanosoma parasites. Trypanosomiasis can be found in Africa, commonly known as sleeping sickness, and in Central and South America where it is known as Chagas disease.

Why sleeping sickness is called so?

African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly. It gets its nickname ‘sleeping sickness’ because symptoms can include a disturbed sleep pattern.

What is tsetse fly disease?

African Trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, is caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa.

How do you protect against tsetse fly?

Prevention & Control

1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants of medium-weight material in neutral colors that blend with the background environment. Tsetse flies are attracted to bright or dark colors, and they can bite through lightweight clothing.
2. Inspect vehicles before entering.
3. Avoid bushes.
4. Use insect repellent.

Can trypanosomiasis be cured?

There is no test of cure for African trypanosomiasis. After treatment, patients should be closely followed for 24 months and monitored for relapse. Recurrence of symptoms will require examination of body fluids, including CSF, to detect the presence of trypanosomes.

Which organ is affected by sleeping sickness?

Sleeping sickness is an infection caused by tiny parasites carried by certain flies. It results in swelling of the brain.

Does sleeping sickness still exist?

Without treatment sleeping sickness typically results in death. The disease occurs regularly in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa with the population at risk being about 70 million in 36 countries. An estimated 11,000 people are currently infected with 2,800 new infections in 2015. In 2018 there were 977 new cases.

How do I get rid of tsetse fly?

Avoid bushes. The tsetse fly is less active during the hottest part of the day but will bite if disturbed. Use insect repellent. Permethrin-impregnated clothing and insect repellent have not been proved to be particularly effective against tsetse flies, but they will prevent other insect bites that can cause illness.

How is sleeping sickness controlled?

No vaccine or medicine can prevent African sleeping sickness. But you can avoid being bitten by tsetse flies. Experts recommend the following: Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants.

What do you need to know about tsetse flies?

The tsetse fly is attracted to bright colors, very dark colors, metallic fabric, and the color blue. Avoid bushes during the day, when the tsetse fly is less active. It rests in bushes and will bite if disturbed. Inspect vehicles for tsetse flies before entering. The flies are attracted to moving vehicles.

How to prevent tsetse fly bites in Africa?

Prevent tsetse fly bites: Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Wear neutral-colored clothing. Avoid bushes during the day, when the tsetse fly is less active. Inspect vehicles for tsetse flies before entering.

Where does the word tsetse come from in Africa?

The word tsetse means “fly” in Tswana, a Bantu language of southern Africa. Recently, tsetse without the fly has become more common in English, particularly in the scientific and development communities. The word is pronounced tseh-tseh in the Sotho languages and is easily rendered in other African

What kind of clothing to wear with tsetse fly?

Clothing fabric should be at least medium weight because the tsetse fly can bite through thin fabric. Wear neutral-colored clothing. The tsetse fly is attracted to bright colors, very dark colors, metallic fabric, and the color blue. Avoid bushes during the day, when the tsetse fly is less active.