Late last month the WHO announced it had granted validation for the elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT or sleeping sickness) caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Togo after 10 years without cases. The West African nation is the first of the 36 endemic countries in the sub-Saharan region to do so. The gambiense spp ‘is found in 24 countries in west and central Africa and accounts for more than 98% of cases’ while the remainder, caused by the rhodesiense spp, occur in 13 eastern and southern African countries. Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana have also started the WHO validation process. Read more and information on HAT from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.