Sleeping sickness is a common African disease which already exists since at least the fourteenth century. In some regions of sub-Saharan Africa it is even endemic. It affects about 36 countries.

The disease is caused by a parasite, Trypanosama bruccei, which is transmitted by the sting of the tsetse fly. The disease goes unnoticed as long as the parasites have not reached the brain. This is usually the case in the West-African variant, where it can take years before symptoms start to show. The East African variant is typically more aggressive. When a person is infected with the parasite the skin surrounding the sting swells and gets infected. In this first, haemolymphatic, stage corresponding symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and painful joints and muscles. Once the parasite has entered the brain the central nervous system is infected and the disease enters the second, neurological, stage. In this stage sleeping disorders, epileptic attacks, confusion, and numbness may develop. In general, if the patient is left untreated the disease is fatal. 

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a disease that is mostly prevalent in tropical areas, but also occurs in Mediterranean countries.

The disease is caused by the leishmania parasite, which is transmitted by the sandfly. The visceral form is the most severe, where parasites have migrated to vital organs, such as liver and bone marrow. The incubation period varies between ten days and several years, but generally is two to seven months. It results in fever, weight loss, swelling of the organs, and anemia. If left untreated this form is fatal. Luckily this form is not very common. The most common, and less severe, form is cutaneous leishmaniasis. This is a skin disease where the sting results in ulcers. In the mucotaneous form ulcers appear on the mucous membranes such as nose and mouth, which can deform the entire face.