Symptoms occur within 1-4 weeks of infection. Neither a vaccine nor recommended drug is available to prevent East African trypanosomiasis. See your health care provider who will order several tests for the parasite. Common tests include blood samples, a spinal tap, and skin biopsies, especially if you have a chancre. Treatment should be started as soon as possible and is based on the infected person's symptoms and laboratory results.
Hospitalization is necessary for treatment.
Periodic follow-up exams, including a spinal tap, are required for 2 years. You can get reinfected. East African trypanosomiasis can be contracted in parts of Eastern and Central Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Areas where infection is contracted are largely determined by the infected tsetse fly and wild animal population. East African trypanosomiasis is usually found in woodland and savannah areas away from human habitation.