A CASE OF HUMAN AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS during UNITED NATION MISSION IN LIBERIA

Abstract

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, and is endemic/epidemic in many countries of Africa1. This protozoal disease has never been reported in Pakistan. However our troops have been deployed to various countries of Africa as UN peace keepers exposing them to this disease. We report a case of HAT in a young officer of PAK Army who contracted the disease while on UN mission in Liberia. The HAT may follow an acute rapidly progressive course which can be fatal within weeks as seen in this case.