The World Health Organization has recognized Guinea for successfully eliminating human African trypanosomiasis — also known as HAT or sleeping sickness — marking the country's first officially eliminated neglected tropical disease. The announcement came on the eve of World NTD Day 2025, bringing the total number of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD to 55.
“Today’s announcement is both a testament to the global progress against neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for nations still battling human African trypanosomiasis,” Tedros Adehanom Ghebreyesus, director-general at WHO, said in a statement announcing the elimination.
HAT is one of 21 NTDs affecting over 1 billion people in the world’s hardest-to-reach communities, particularly in areas where water safety, sanitation, and access to health care are limited or inadequate.
Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, or gHAT, is one of two types of HAT — the second being rhodesiense — and the only form present in Guinea. A vector-borne parasitic disease caused by infected tsetse flies, it is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. While the first stage of the disease causes mild, flu-like symptoms, the second stage can be fatal as it spreads to parts of the brain and central nervous system.
HAT endemics have occurred across the African continent since the late 19th century, typically affecting rural areas impacted by war, displacement, and poverty. While control programs in the 1960s were successful in reducing annual cases, relaxed surveillance allowed numbers to surge to epidemic proportions.
By 1998, there were nearly 40,000 reported cases of HAT in Africa, with an estimated 300,000 additional cases going undetected or undiagnosed. However, continued control efforts, bilateral cooperation, and collaboration between nongovernmental organizations meant that by 2022, just 799 cases of gHAT and 38 cases of rHAT were reported.
Guinea’s own journey with HAT has been filled with highs and lows. Despite challenges from increased economic and population growth in the 1990s, Ebola outbreaks from 2013-2015, and COVID-19 disruptions in 2020, renewed control programs and collaborative efforts have ensured the country’s interventions were successful.
Following Guinea’s announcement, seven African countries have now successfully eliminated the disease, including Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Uganda.
“The elimination of human African trypanosomiasis by Guinea is a significant public health achievement,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who recently concluded her tenure as WHO regional director for Africa. “Vulnerable families and communities can now live free of the threat posed by this potentially fatal disease. I congratulate the government, health workers, partners and communities for this crucial milestone. WHO remains committed to supporting countries to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis and other neglected tropical diseases in Africa.”
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Rachael Perrett
Rachael Perrett is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience in publishing in the U.A.E and U.K. She specializes in sustainability, food provenance, community, and health.
