Guinea has been officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health concern. This milestone makes it the first neglected tropical disease to be eradicated in the country and signals a major breakthrough in public health efforts across Africa.
The announcement comes just ahead of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, observed on January 30, and highlights the progress made in controlling diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the achievement, calling it “a testament to global efforts in combating neglected tropical diseases and an inspiration for nations still striving to eliminate sleeping sickness.”
A Deadly Disease Eliminated
Sleeping sickness is a parasitic infection transmitted by tsetse flies. In its early stages, it causes fever, headaches, and joint pain, but if left untreated, it progresses to severe neurological symptoms, including confusion, disrupted sleep patterns, and behavioral changes, ultimately leading to death.
Guinea has long battled the disease, which was the only form of HAT present in the country. Its elimination marks a significant advancement, reducing health risks and improving the well-being of thousands of people previously at risk.
The Fight Against Sleeping Sickness
In the 1990s, cases of HAT surged along Guinea’s coastal regions due to increased human activity in mangrove areas, driven by economic and population growth in Conakry. Recognizing the threat, Guinea’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene launched the National Programme for the Control of HAT in 2002, with support from WHO, the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and later from organizations such as the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and the Institut Pasteur de Guinée.
The program began with mass medical screenings, a crucial step in detecting and treating cases early. By 2012, Guinea had also introduced vector control measures to reduce transmission. Initially implemented in the Boffa-East region, the initiative expanded nationwide by 2016, deploying nearly 15,000 insecticide-treated traps annually to attract and eliminate tsetse flies.
However, the country’s efforts faced significant setbacks during the Ebola outbreak (2013-2015) and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), both of which disrupted health services and led to a temporary resurgence in cases. In response, authorities adapted by introducing door-to-door screenings to ensure continued disease detection and treatment.
Collaboration with local communities played a crucial role, ensuring that health interventions were accepted and supported at the grassroots level. Advances in diagnostic tools, improved treatments, and consistent financial and technical assistance from WHO and its partners further strengthened Guinea’s fight against the disease.
As a result, the country reduced HAT cases below WHO’s elimination threshold of one case per 10,000 people in all affected regions, earning its official recognition as free from sleeping sickness as a public health problem.
A Regional Milestone
Guinea’s Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Oumar Diouhé BAH, credited the success to years of dedicated efforts by healthcare professionals, international partners, and local communities. He emphasized that the country remains committed to fighting other neglected tropical diseases affecting its population.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, applauded Guinea’s progress, calling it a significant moment for public health. “Vulnerable families and communities can now live free from the threat of this potentially fatal disease. WHO remains committed to supporting other African nations in their fight against sleeping sickness and other neglected diseases,” she said.
With this achievement, Guinea joins seven other African nations that have successfully eliminated the gambiense form of HAT:
- Togo (2020)
- Benin (2021)
- Côte d’Ivoire (2021)
- Uganda (2022)
- Equatorial Guinea (2022)
- Ghana (2023)
- Chad (2024)
Additionally, Rwanda was validated by WHO in 2022 for eliminating the rhodesiense form of sleeping sickness.
Guinea’s success sets a precedent for other nations striving to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, reinforcing Africa’s progress towards stronger healthcare systems and disease-free communities.