Warning of a disease outbreak that could kill 70 million people in Africa

Scientists are extremely concerned about a dangerous parasitic disease that is threatening the lives of millions of people across Africa.

Sleeping sickness, also known as Human Trypanosomiasis (HAT) , has been around in sub-Saharan Africa since the 19th century. The disease is caused by a parasite from the tsetse fly that attacks the central nervous system. This is an endemic disease in 36 countries. HAT infection comes in two forms depending on the specific parasite, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease can be fatal if left untreated.

Scientists have made a breakthrough in the study of sleeping sickness. (Image: Getty)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said: "HAT is threatening millions of people in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. People with the disease often live in remote rural areas with little access to services. adequate health care, which complicates the surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of cases, and population displacement, war, and poverty are also important factors that facilitate transmission".

Two forms of HAT are caused by two species of parasites of the genus Trypanosoma . Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is found in 24 countries of west and central Africa, while Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is found in 13 countries of east and south Africa. The disease is estimated to kill around 70 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and is classified as a "pandemic".

New research published by researchers at the University of Glasgow has analyzed how the disease develops, which could help health officials better diagnose and treat the disease at two stages (early and early). and late). Using lab mice, the researchers found that a series of host genes that control disease development in the central nervous system are activated earlier than thought - even earlier. neurological signs of the disease.

This disease is mainly spread by tsetse flies that carry one of two parasites. (Image: Getty)

The findings, published in the journal PLOS "Forgotten Tropical Diseases" , explain why the neurological symptoms appear early, thereby helping to understand how the parasite can enter the system. central nervous system so rapidly after infection.

Professor Peter Kennedy CBE at the University of Glasgow said: "Our work provides important insights into this disease, from which we can better understand the treatment of patients."

This disease is mainly transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly , although the vectors of transmission are diverse. For example, mother-to-child transmission can occur when trypanosomes cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Not only that, WHO states that sex can also be a cause of disease.

During the early stages of the disease, known as the lymphatic phase, victims experience fever, headache, joint pain, itching, and swollen lymph nodes. At this stage, treatment is quite easy as it is relatively harmless. In the later stages, the encephalopathy stage, the disease becomes more toxic and much more difficult to treat. Until now, it was believed that the second stage occurred when the parasite crossed the blood-brain barrier to enter the central nervous system. Even so, there is growing evidence that the disease can cause neurological problems in its early stages.

According to WHO, how far the disease progresses depends on certain levels of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid - the clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In addition, there have also been reports of patients who seem to have no or very few white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, despite showing symptoms at a late stage.