6 June 2012 – Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is currently on the rise in South Sudan. The disease is transmitted by tsetse fly and is 100% fatal without treatment. It is endemic in Greater Equatoria State.
A person recently-affected by the disease may not feel any symptoms for months or may present with symptoms that mimic other common diseases such as malaria.
Between 1998 and 2005 more than 500 000 people were screened and more than 16 000 patients treated for sleeping sickness in South Sudan. This was done mainly by nongovernmental organizations despite the social and armed conflict existing at that time.
