Chad is eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem

51st country recognized by WHO for elimination of a neglected tropical disease, more than halfway to the 100 country target set for 2030.

The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Chad for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. It is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in the country.

Chad is the first country to be recognized for eliminating a neglected tropical disease in 2024, becoming the 51st.^St country that has achieved such a goal globally and marks the first step above the midpoint to the global threshold of 100 countries set for 2030. The 100 country goal is one of four global overarching goals set by Roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030.

“I congratulate the government and people of Chad on this achievement. It is great to see that Chad has joined the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD. The goal of 100 countries is closer and within reach” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Sleeping sickness may initially cause flu-like symptoms, but eventually cause behavioral changes, confusion, sleep cycle disturbances or even coma, often leading to death. Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response, have proven that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.

So far, WHO has confirmed seven countries to eliminate the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis: Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Côte d'Ivoire (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana (2023) and Chad (2024). The Rhodesiense form of the disease has been eliminated as a public health problem in one country, Rwanda, as confirmed by the WHO in 2022.

“The elimination of the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis in Chad reflects our commitment to improving the health of our people. This achievement is the result of years of dedicated efforts by our health workers, communities and partners. We will continue this momentum to tackle other neglected tropical diseases and ensure a healthier the future for all Chadians” said the Hon. dr. Abdel Modjid Abderahim Mahamat, Minister of Health, Chad.

As of June 2024, in the WHO Africa region, 20 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, with Togo eliminating 4 diseases and Benin and Ghana 3 diseases each.

Note to the editor:

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the Trypanosoma parasite. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tsetse fly, which acquires the infection from humans or animals that carry the parasites. There are 2 forms of the disease: one is caused Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, found in 24 West and Central African countries, accounting for more than 92% of cases. The gambiense form is the only form of human African trypanosomiasis transmitted in Chad. There is another form of HAT caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiensefound in 13 countries in eastern and southern Africa, representing the remaining cases.

The main approaches to controlling sleeping sickness include reducing the reservoir of infection and reducing the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening of people at risk helps to identify patients at an early stage of disease development. Early diagnosis can help avoid complicated and risky treatments in advanced stages, significantly improving the prognosis of cure.

More information on the elimination of human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem in Chad can be found at dedicated edition from Weekly epidemiological record.