Recent epidemic outbreaks of human trypanosomiasis in Uganda

Epidemics of human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) have been occurring in Uganda since the beginning of the present century. The first such epidemic occurred along the shores of Lake Victoria and claimed millions of human lives. Another outbreak involving about 2500 persons occurred in the same area from Jinja eastwards to the border with Kenya between 1939 and 194S. Since this outbreak, cases continued to be reported within the infected area, though not in epidemic proportions. Between 1960 and 1971, the two main foci of human trypanosomiasis in Uganda were in south-eastern Uganda (Busoga and Bukedi Districts) and West Nile. In 1971, the infection in south-eastern Uganda spilled north of the usual focus and involved up to 169 persons. Following the control of this small epidemic, surveillance programmes were not instituted because of the prevailing political and economic atmosphere in the country at the time. Hence, by 1976, the stage was set for another epidemic outbreak of the disease in the country. This paper presents a detailed review of the present disease situation in the country and a brief review of the past.