African trypanosomosis is a lethal parasitic disease caused by unicellular organisms named trypanosomes. The disease is cyclically transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse flies and it affects both humans (‘sleeping sickness’) and livestock (‘nagana’).
Trypanosomosis lies at the heart of Africa’s struggle against poverty, and it is endemic in more than thirty countries among the least developed of the world. Probably more than any other disease affecting both livestock and people, trypanosomosis constrains agricultural production and causes food insecurity in vast and fertile swaths of sub-Saharan Africa.
Highlights
-fao-disease-surveillance.jpg?sfvrsn=5bab3ff5_3)
The disease
Tsetse-transmitted Trypanosomosis is an infectious disease unique to Africa and caused by various species of blood parasites.
.jpg?sfvrsn=48a94c6a_3)
The Atlases
The continental atlas of tsetse flies and animal trypanosomosis in Africa is based on data extracted and systematically mapped from scientific papers published between 1990 and 2020.
What is FAO doing
Progressive Control Pathways (PCPs) and the related roadmaps are staged stepwise approaches increasingly used to structure the road to disease reduction and freedom for a range of human and animal diseases.
-fao.jpg?sfvrsn=226eefb6_1 "Programme Against African Trypanosomosis (PAAT) FAO")
Vision
An African continent where trypanosomoses no longer constrain sustainable agriculture, rural development nor do they threaten human health.
Mission
Assist affected countries in lifting the constraints that tsetse-transmitted trypanosomoses pose to the attainment of the sustainable development goals, including ending poverty and hunger, ensuring health and gender equality, and combating climate change and its impacts.
Recent publications
Factsheet
Progressive control of African animal trypanosomosis. Tackling neglected tropical diseases through One Health
2026
The document is part of a series of briefs developed by FAO to effectively mobilize support for and inform strategic investment on its One Health and...
Article
Developing a national atlas to support the progressive control of tsetse-transmitted animal trypanosomosis in Zambia
2025
Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the sole cyclical vectors of African trypanosomosis, a parasitic disease affecting both animals and humans....
Publications
The progressive control pathway for African animal trypanosomosis – Operational guidelines
2025
African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is a wasting and often fatal disease that continues to place a huge burden on livestock keepers. AAT also hinders...
Publications
The continental atlas of the distribution of tsetse flies in Africa
2024
Tsetse flies (Genus: Glossina) occur in sub-Saharan Africa, where they transmit trypanosomosis, a group of parasitic diseases that affect both animals...
Article
The national atlas of tsetse flies and African animal trypanosomosis in Ethiopia
2022
With the largest cattle population in Africa and vast swathes of fertile lands infested by tsetse flies, trypanosomosis is a major challenge for Ethiopian...
