African trypanosomiasis epidemiology and demographics

Currently, it is estimated that the annual prevalence of African trypanosomiasis is less than 20,000. In 2014, 3,796 sleeping sickness cases were reported to the World Health Organization and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense accounted for > 98% of cases. There is no predilection for a specific age group for African trypanosomiasis.

• The global incidence of African trypanosomiasis is estimated to be 7,000-10,000.
• In 2014, 3,796 sleeping sickness cases were reported to the World Health Organization; Trypanosoma brucei gambiense accounted for > 98% of cases.
• Currently, it is estimated that the annual prevalence of African trypanosomiasis is less than 20,000.

• There is no predilection for a specific age group for African trypanosomiasis.^[1][2][3][4]
• The rate of African trypanosomiasis is high among neonates due to risk of vertical transmission during pregnancy.

• Men and women are affected equally by African trypanosomiasis.
• Male gender is thought to be associated with worse prognosis than female gender.

• Given the endemicity of the disease in South America, the majority of individuals with African trypanosomiasis are of Hispanic origin.
• However, there is no evidence to demonstrate that there is any racial predilection to the acquisition of the infection.

• African trypanosomiasis is endemic to rural sub-Saharan Africa.
• Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is found in eastern and southeastern Africa, mainly Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is found in central Africa and in limited areas of West Africa, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, South Sudan, Guinea, Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Chad, and northern Uganda.