Silent killer disease known as 'sleeping sickness' and the key signs to look for

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The World Health Organisation has warned people about the risks of contracting a disease commonly known as "sleeping sickness".

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), which can be fatal without treatment, is transmitted to humans by bites of Tsetse flies which have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals.

As reported by the Mirror, these flies inhabit sub-Saharan Africa and only certain species transmit the disease. Those living in rural areas and dependent on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are the most exposed populations.

Those also at risk of getting infected are travellers who spent a lot of time outdoors or visit game parks in sub-Saharan Africa.There is no vaccine or medicine that prevents African trypanosomiasis and the main symptoms of the condition are fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches.