<P> African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is an insect - borne parasitic disease of humans and other animals . It is caused by protozoa of the species Trypanosoma brucei . There are two types that infect humans, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR). TbG causes over 98% of reported cases . Both are usually transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly and are most common in rural areas . </P> <P> Initially, in the first stage of the disease, there are fevers, headaches, itchiness and joint pains . This begins one to three weeks after the bite . Weeks to months later the second stage begins with confusion, poor coordination, numbness and trouble sleeping . Diagnosis is via finding the parasite in a blood smear or in the fluid of a lymph node . A lumbar puncture is often needed to tell the difference between first and second stage disease . </P> <P> Prevention of severe disease involves screening the population at risk with blood tests for TbG . Treatment is easier when the disease is detected early and before neurological symptoms occur . Treatment of the first stage is with the medications pentamidine or suramin . Treatment of the second stage involves eflornithine or a combination of nifurtimox and eflornithine for TbG . While melarsoprol works for both stages, it is typically only used for TbR, due to serious side effects . Without treatment it typically results in death . </P> <P> The disease occurs regularly in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa with the population at risk being about 70 million in 36 countries . An estimated 11,000 people are currently infected with 2,800 new infections in 2015 . In 2015 it caused around 3,500 deaths, down from 34,000 in 1990 . More than 80% of these cases are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Three major outbreaks have occurred in recent history: one from 1896 to 1906 primarily in Uganda and the Congo Basin and two in 1920 and 1970 in several African countries . It is classified as a neglected tropical disease . Other animals, such as cows, may carry the disease and become infected in which case it is known as animal trypanosomiasis . </P>

What is the treatment for african sleeping sickness
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