Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)

22.06.2024

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)

Why in the news?                        

In a landmark achievement, Chad has become the first country in 2024 and the 51st globally to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD) , the Gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT).

About Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT):

• It is also known as sleeping sickness.
• It is caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by infected tsetse flies and endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
• It takes 2 forms, depending on the subspecies of the infecting parasite:

○Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: It is found in 24 countries of west and central Africa, currently accounts for 92% of reported cases and causes a chronic illness.

○A person can be infected for months or even years without major signs or symptoms. When evident symptoms emerge, often the disease is advanced with the central nervous system already affected.

○Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense: It is found in 13 countries of eastern and southern Africa, accounts for 8% of reported cases and causes an acute disease.

○First signs and symptoms emerge a few weeks or months after infection. The disease develops rapidly with multi-organ invasion, including the brain.

• Tsetse flies inhabit sub-Saharan Africa and only certain species transmit the disease. Rural populations which depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are the most exposed.
• To date, WHO has validated the elimination of the gambiense form of HAT in seven countries: Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Ivory Coast (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana (2023) and Chad (2024).

                                                       Source: Down to earth

Ques :- Consider the following statements with reference to the Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT):

Statement-I

 It is also known as sleeping sickness.

Statement-II

It is caused by bacteria parasites transmitted by infected tsetse flies and endemic in sub-Saharan Africa).

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C