Yet by 1960 HAT had almost vanished from Africa. Sleeping sickness can be controlled. After the discovery of the causal agent and vector at the start of this century, draconian measures were introduced. Wild-animal reservoirs of the parasites were culled, vegetation that housed tsetse flies was cleared, human beings were coerced into being screened, and infected individuals were treated. In the second half of this century, surveillance has waned and fly populations have returned.
Wars are commonplace.
They have obliterated national health programmes and displaced infected individuals, who migrate with their parasites. Take Sudan, for example. The experience from Sudan shows that coordinated efforts can work. Patients with sleeping sickness should be treated as soon as possible. However, in endemic rural areas few patients seek medical assistance early.