NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -African Trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, is caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa.

Detailed explanation-2: -The tsetse fly, Glossina sp. is the main vector for trypanosomes, the parasites that cause trypanosomiasis.

Detailed explanation-3: -How is African trypanosomiasis spread? A person will get East or West African trypanosomiasis if he or she is bitten by a tsetse fly infected with the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense or Trypanosoma brucei gambiense parasite respectively. The proportion of tsetse flies that are infected with these parasites is low.

Detailed explanation-4: -Tsetse flies bite during daylight hours. Both male and female flies can transmit the infection, but even in areas where the disease is endemic only a very small percentage of flies are infected. Although the majority of infections are transmitted by the tsetse fly, other modes of transmission are possible.