Descriptive Epidemiology Literature Review of GHP

Descriptive Epidemiology Literature Review of GHP
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Descriptive Epidemiology Literature Review of GHP
Human African Trypanosomiasis
HAT Description
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also referred to as the sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic illness than is triggered by the microscopic pathogens belonging to the genus, Trypanosoma, species, brucei. HAT is termed as trypanosomiasis because if falls under the diseases caused by the parasites Trypanosoma. Furthermore, Trypanosoma brucei is divided into two human pathogenic subspecies namely T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense (Berger, 2016). The two pathogens are known to cause different extracellular pathogens, both of which are classified as causative agents of HAT, although they are considered as tow deferent illness as well as different clinical patterns, epidemiological as well as different patient care approaches (Berger, 2016).
In particular, the humans are affected by two types of f trypanosomiasis, namely Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, parasites which are named based on their geographical location (Berger, 2016). The former has high pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and transmitted by the tsetse fly whereas the latter is found in Latin America and transmitted by triatomine, also known as the kissing bag (Berger, 2016).
The symptoms vary depending on the stages of the infection. The early stage is known as hemolymphatic stage, whereby the patient experiences, Painless skin chancre, recurring fever, muscle joint pain as well as facial edema (Media Centre , 2017). At the second stage, known as the neurologic stage or the last stage, patients are characterized by untiring headaches, seizures, wasting syndrome, loss of appetite, weight loss as well as daytime somnolence followed by nighttime insomnia (Media Centre , 2017).
Definition of HAT
African trypanosomiasis is a termed as a Global Health Problem due to its danger and prevalence in around the globe in the last 3 decades especially in Africa and Latin America (Media Centre , 2017). The disease has has been confirmed in 36 nations in the Sub-Saharan Africa. As much as there are no single cases of the illness recorded in the United States, historically, the illness has been a serious global health problem (Media Centre , 2017). To ascertain this, CDC confirmed that currently approximately 100, 000 new cases of sleeping sickness are recorded by the World Health Organization, (WHO). However, there are other numerous undocumented cases or undiagnosed (Media Centre , 2017).
Causes of HAT
As aforementioned, HAT is caused by two parasitic protozoa, both of which belongs to the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Tsetse fly (Glossina) is the sole vector which spreads the illness through bites (Hasker & Lutumba, 2012). In other words, HAT is transmitted from on human to another trough the tsetse fly bites, an insect that is highly concentrated in the bushy and rural part of Africa (Hasker & Lutumba, 2012). Also, the disease can be transmitted from an infected mother to child during birth as the pathogen can cross the placenta via the blood and reach the baby on in the womb. However, Very minimal infections are attributed to mother...