Definitions for "Trypanosomiasis"
a disease of animals and humans caused by Trypanosoma parasites, which are transmitted by tsetse flies in Africa and by triatomine bugs in South and Central America. In Africa the disease is referred to as sleeping sickness, as it affects the central nervous system. The parasite species found in the Americas affects smooth muscle tissue and causes chagas disease
a parasitic infection that is spread through the bite of the Tsetse fly. The bite itself is very painful, and in the early stages a red sore appears at the site of the bite. In the weeks to follow, the patient experiences fever, rash, extreme fatigue, swelling around the eyes and hands, muscle and joint aches, severe headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and weight loss. As the disease progresses, the central nervous system is invaded, and if left untreated, death will occur. The reason it is known as the "sleeping sickness" is because the person infected by the parasite will sleep during the day, all day, and experience insomnia at night. Immediate treatment and some hospitalization is the way to treat the disease. Found only in Africa, there was a resurgence of the disease in the southern Sudan in 1997. The best defense is to guard against the bite of Tsetse fly - wear protective clothing made of thick fabric and olive or khaki in color because the tsetse fly is attracted to bright colors, avoid bushy areas, sleep with bednetting, and the use insect repellent.
Group of diseases caused by parasites that live in the blood and body fluids of their hosts. Flies, especially tsetse flies, transmit the disease. African trypanosomiasis occurs in cattle, small ruminants and pigs. Symptoms vary from subclinical infection to a highly fatal disease depending on the parasite species, the host and its level of resistance.