The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Chad has successfully eradicated the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). 

Chad eliminates human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem

• Chad has become the first country of the year and the 51st worldwide to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

• 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), Chad (2024).
• Progress in the Fight Against NTDs: Chad has joined other countries that have eliminated sleeping sickness, contributing to the global target of eliminating 100 NTDs by 2030.

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About Human African Trypanosomiasis

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is commonly known as sleeping sickness.

• Disease Causing Agent: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by protozoan parasites.
• Transmission: Infected tsetse flies.
• Symptoms: The disease is typically fatal if untreated, causing symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and, in severe cases, coma.
• Forms of HAT
• • There are two forms of HAT based on the subspecies of the parasite:
    • Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: Accounts for 92% of reported cases.
    • Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense: Responsible for the remaining 8% of cases.