In the next six years, sleeping sickness a deadly parasitic disease spread by tsetse flies could be eliminated in regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Trypanosomiasis / Sleeping sickness - Introduction
Sleeping sickness or Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease which can trigger life-threatening complications in the absence of treatment
Sleeping sickness or Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease which can trigger life-threatening complications in the absence of treatment
‘Active screening and tsetse fly traps could speed up the elimination of Gambian sleeping sickness. Gambian sleeping sickness is a deadly parasitic disease spread by the bite of an infected tsetse fly.
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The researchers, who work as part of the Neglected Tropical Disease Modelling Consortium, used complex mathematical models to compare the efficacy of six key strategies and twelve variations within two areas of Kwilu province (within former Bandundu province), DRC. Previous work by the same group indicates that high-risk people are often missed from active screening. The new model concludes that improved active screening - making sure that all people are screened equally, regardless of risk factor - may allow elimination as a public health problem between 2023 and 2031.
If vector control strategies - using "tsetse targets" coated with insecticide to attract and kill flies - are added, this elimination goal is likely to be achieved within four years when coupled with any screening approach.
Skin, A Channel Of Transmission For African Sleeping Sickness
African sleeping sickness is transmitted to humans via the skin. The infected tsetse fly bites and the parasites are transmitted to the skin.
African sleeping sickness is transmitted to humans via the skin. The infected tsetse fly bites and the parasites are transmitted to the skin.
Strategies which rely only on self-reporting of illness and screening of low-risk individuals are unlikely to lead to elimination of sleeping sickness transmission by 2030, and delay elimination until the next century.
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In recent years, programmes have performed intense active and passive screening to decrease disease incidence. A few areas have also combined these medical interventions with vector control. But some high prevalence regions of DRC have not achieved the reductions in disease seen in other parts of Africa. Other strategies for elimination will also include reinforced passive screening, new diagnostic tools and improved drugs.
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Genetic Code of Deadly Tsetse Fly Revealed
The first complete genome sequence of the tsetse fly was produced by members of the International Glossina Genome Initiative (IGGI) after their decade long effort.
The first complete genome sequence of the tsetse fly was produced by members of the International Glossina Genome Initiative (IGGI) after their decade long effort.
Kat Rock comments:
"We found that vector control has great potential to reduce transmission and, even if it is less effective at reducing tsetse numbers as in other regions, the full elimination goal could still be achieved by 2030.
"We recommend that control programmes use a combined medical and vector control strategy to help combat sleeping sickness."
Source-Eurekalert
