Guinea eliminates human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Guinea for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem. This form of human African trypanosomiasis, the only type transmitted in Guinea, is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in the country. The news marks an important achievement in this public health field on the eve of the world Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, marked on 30 January.
“Today’s announcement is both a testament to the global progress against neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for nations still battling human African trypanosomiasis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by infected tsetse flies. Symptoms include fever, headaches, joint pain and, in advanced stages, neurological symptoms like confusion, disrupted sleep patterns and behavioural changes.