Guinea has achieved a significant milestone in public health by eliminating the gambiense form of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. This accomplishment marks the country’s first successful elimination of a neglected tropical disease and highlights the effectiveness of sustained efforts in disease control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized this achievement, praising Guinea’s commitment to combating HAT through strategic interventions and partnerships.
HAT is a vector-borne disease caused by Trypanosoma parasites, transmitted through the bite of infected tsetse flies. The gambiense form, which was endemic in Guinea, accounts for over 92% of HAT cases in West and Central Africa. The disease progresses in two stages: the initial phase includes symptoms such as fever, headaches, and joint pain, while the advanced stage leads to neurological complications, including confusion, disrupted sleep patterns, and behavioral changes. Without timely treatment, HAT can be fatal.
In the 1990s, Guinea faced a resurgence of HAT cases, particularly in coastal mangrove areas, due to increased human activity driven by Conakry’s economic expansion. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Guinean government 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, organizations such as the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and the Institut Pasteur de Guinée.
One of the critical strategies implemented was large-scale medical screenings to detect and treat cases early. Additionally, in 2012, vector control measures were introduced, beginning in the Boffa-East region and later expanding nationwide. By 2016, approximately 15,000 impregnated mini-screens coated with insecticides were deployed annually to reduce tsetse fly populations. These interventions significantly lowered the number of reported cases.
Despite the progress, Guinea encountered major setbacks during the 2013–2015 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The disruptions caused by these health crises temporarily halted medical activities, leading to concerns about potential HAT resurgence. However, the health authorities adapted their approach by implementing door-to-door screenings to ensure disease control efforts continued effectively.
A crucial factor in Guinea’s success was the collaboration between health authorities and local communities. By involving communities in awareness campaigns and disease control measures, authorities ensured that interventions were culturally appropriate and widely accepted. Advances in diagnostic tools and treatment availability, along with continuous technical and financial backing from WHO and other global partners, strengthened the national elimination program.
As a result, Guinea successfully reduced HAT cases to below the WHO threshold of one case per 10,000 inhabitants in all endemic areas. This achievement led to WHO’s validation of Guinea’s elimination status, making it the eighth country to be recognized for eliminating the gambiense form of HAT. Other countries that have reached this milestone include Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Côte d’Ivoire (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana (2023), and Chad (2024). Additionally, Rwanda has been validated for eliminating the rhodesiense form of the disease.
Dr. Oumar Diouhé BAH, Guinea’s Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, emphasized that the elimination of sleeping sickness reflects years of dedicated efforts by the government, healthcare workers, and communities. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, also praised the achievement, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to supporting other nations in their fight against neglected tropical diseases.
Going forward, maintaining vigilance through continuous monitoring, early detection, and vector control will be essential to prevent a resurgence of HAT in Guinea. The country’s success serves as an inspiration to other nations still battling the disease, demonstrating that with persistent efforts, strong partnerships, and community engagement, the elimination of neglected tropical diseases is possible.
