Aiming to eliminate tsetse from Africa

Abstract

The problem of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis occurs only in sub-Saharan Africa, where it represents a major constraint to socio-economic development. The East African form of sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodensiense, is an acute and fatal disease, whereas the West African form, caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, is generally more chronic and debilitating. The African governments have developed a new initiative, known as the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign, which seeks to employ an area-wide approach and appropriate fly suppression methods to eradicate tsetse from areas of tsetse infestation, at a time, to ultimately create tsetse-free zones.