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A case of African trypanosomiasis has been reported by the GeoSentinal site in Ottawa, province of Ontaria, southeastern Canada.
The case is 59-year old Canadian woman who quite recently returned from a trip to Zambia. The itinerary during the trip included 9 days in the South Luangwa National Park, 3 days in the Lower Zambezi National Park and 1 day in Lusaka. On her returnd to Canada, the woman sought medical attention on 6 July 2015, complaining of severe fatigue, fever and chills. African trypanosomiasis was diagnosed with high-grade parasitaemia on peripheral blood film. The patient has since recovered following a critical illness.
African trypanosomiasis is found in sub-Saharan and Southern Africa. The risk is highest for those visiting National Parks or Game Reserves in particular in East and Southern Africa. Infection is transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly.
Travellers to endemic areas should be aware of the risk and avoid contact with tsetse flies if possible. Avoiding bites is very difficult as tsetse flies can bite through clothing. Tsetse flies are repelled by permethrin and soaking clothes is recommended. They are not repelled by currently available DEET insect repellent products.
