Progress towards the global eradication of the human transmission of trypanosomiasis (HAT) of the African people, also known as sleep apnea, is underway, after a coronavirus-related disorder (COVID-19) threatens the development of control functions.
HAT has two main types: Gambiese and rhodesiense.
By 2021, the gambiense form was reported in 11 viral countries, and a total of 750 cases were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), with confirmation of a few pending cases. This figure is higher than the data reported in 2020, when 565 cases were announced. This increase is likely to be due to increased prosecution activity, as systems are slowly returning to normal after the limits activated by the COVID-19 epidemic. Of these cases, 57% were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also appropriate to highlight the increase in the number of cases reported in Angola. This amounts to 23% of the total, and occurs in the case of solid identification in unincorporated areas over the years.
With regard to the rhodesiense form HAT, there have been 55 reported cases from four countries, with almost 90% of cases occurring in Malawi. This total figure shows a significant decline in the 2020 data, with 98 cases reported. Thus, the number of cases, in both cases, was 805 by 2021.
Although this is a small increase in the 2020 figures, the general trend continues and cases remain below 1000, a symbolic limit reached for the first time in 2018.That is a stark contrast to the year 2000, when 26,550 confirmed cases were reported to the WHO. Ongoing efforts of national regulatory systems since then and the large number of dedicated participants, working under the auspices of the WHO, have resulted in a significant reduction in disease incidence. The abolition of Gambiense HAT as a public health problem has been confirmed in only four available countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Uganda), and the abolition of rhodesiense HAT is guaranteed in one epidemic country (Rwanda).
Completion of the transfer of GAmbinse HAT (zero cases) by 2030 is the main objective of the new WHO road map for NTD. Achieving this goal will require the ongoing commitment of disease-ridden countries, partners and donors, and effective communication efforts. The development of advanced and innovative tools will help ensure the sustainability of disease control systems.
The long-standing public-private partnership between WHO and the manufacturers of HAT anti-drugs Sanofi and Bayer HealthCare has been instrumental in achieving significant steps so far and will continue to do so as work continues to achieve the 2030 targets.
For more read: https://www.who.int/news/item/30-05-2022-sleeping-sickness-elimination-progresses-in-2021-despite-covid-19
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