Travel Precautions: African Sleeping Sickness

There are many reasons people travel around the world. Africa is a destination without all the resorts and popular hot spots loaded with tourists but many go to enjoy the unique scenery. Safaris are huge in the African land as well as missionary practices. Regardless a person's choice to go there is something that should be said prior to departure. There are many health risks when traveling to a foreign land and in this case African Trypanosomiasis, or the African Sleeping Sickness as it is commonly referred to, is a prime condition to discuss.

There are two types of the African Sleeping Sickness defined as West African Sleeping Sickness and East African Sleeping Sickness. This particular sickness is caused by the Tsetse fly which is a grayish brown insect that commonly grows to the size of a bee. This bite itself is very painful which often allows a person to know exactly when bitten.

African Sleeping Sickness: Warning Signs

When a victim of this type of insect begins to feel the effects of the serious sickness that follows their symptoms will be fever, rash and things of that nature. This could be many different conditions however because these indications are very unclear. Later, the symptoms of African Sleeping Sickness will become more unique like: seizures, slurred speech and severe personality changes. If untreated, African Sleeping Sickness will progress into meningoencephalitis and then lead to death.

Although the number of bites has significantly decreased for those living in the area people traveling still contract the African sleeping sickness. In fact, reported cases are usually between 15,000-20,000 a year according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or insect repellents that can be used to deter the African Sleeping Sickness. There are treatment drugs available once it occurs that can help... it is a shame that it has to happen before treatments can be administered.

African Sleeping Sickness: East and West

This distinguishing factor between the two types of the African Sleeping Sickness is the area in which the two can be found. I wish I could say that it was deeper than that, but I can't. It all has to do with location.

Basically, the African Sleeping Sickness is a real problem for all tourists and travelers that may find themselves unaware and unprotected in this adventurous land. So please take precaution if you are going to venture to Africa in any location. You can call or visit the CDC online to answer all of your questions and educate yourself on the preventative measures, no matter how small, to take before your trip.