Tsetse flies are found in Africa and can transmit sleeping sickness. The disease called African trypanosomiasis This can attack the human nervous system and cause sufferers to experience sleep disturbances, coma, and even death.
If you pay attention, Tsetse flies have several differences from flies in general. In addition to its large eyelids, this fly also has a special feature that other flies do not have, namely the snout (proboscis) long like a needle on the head. That is why, these flies can "bite" like mosquitoes.
Why Tsetse Flies Can Cause Sleeping Sickness?
The Tsetse fly is one of the insects responsible for the spread of sleeping sickness. These flies are known to host a variety of parasites, including Trypanosoma brucei which causes sleeping sickness.
When a Tsetse fly sucks someone's blood, it's a parasite T. brucei These will enter the person's bloodstream and cause sleeping sickness.
You need to know that the parasite that causes sleeping sickness has two variants, namely:
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Attacks of this parasite are more common in West and Central Africa, where it is reported to have accounted for 97% of sleeping sickness cases. T. b. gambiense is a slow-moving parasite that can be in the blood for 1-2 years, or more, before it invades nerves and causes symptoms.
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
This parasite attack is common in Eastern and Southern Africa, and is reported to have accounted for less than 3% of cases of sleeping sickness. Different from the previous variant, T. b. rhodesiense move faster and can attack the central nervous system in just a few weeks. If not treated immediately, it can lead to death within a few months.
Symptoms of Sleeping Sickness Due to Tsetse Fly Bites
There are two stages of sleeping sickness symptoms that appear due to the bite of the Tsetse fly. In the early stages, symptoms may include sores, rash, or itching at the site of the bite, prolonged weakness, fever, muscle aches, headaches, and weight loss.
When the parasite has infected the central nervous system, then the second stage symptoms that are more typical than the initial symptoms appear, namely:
- Often sleepy during the day
- Personality disorder
- Body balance disorder
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
- Partial paralysis (partial paralysis).
If this condition is not treated, the patient can go into a coma which can lead to death.
Preventing Tsetse Fly Bites
Tsetse flies are found in Africa. So, if you want to travel to the African continent, you need to know how to avoid being bitten by these flies so you don't catch sleeping sickness.
Here's how to prevent Tsetse fly bites:
- Wear clothing that is a little thicker, as bites of Tsetse flies can penetrate thin fabrics.
- Avoid wearing clothes that are light or very dark in color as these colors can attract the attention of Tsetse flies.
- Use a mosquito net while sleeping to keep out Tsetse fly bites.
- Check the vehicle first before using it, especially if you are using an open vehicle, such as a jeep or truck pick-up.
- Avoid approaching bush areas during the day.
Tsetse flies, which are carriers of sleeping sickness, are not found in Indonesia. Even so, that does not mean you do not need to be aware of this disease. Besides being transmitted by the bite of the Tsetse fly, sleeping sickness can also be transmitted through needles contaminated with the parasite T. brucei or through sexual intercourse with the patient.
It's a good idea to see a doctor if you experience symptoms suggestive of sleeping sickness, especially after you've traveled to areas of Africa, where there are a lot of Tsetse flies.