ABSTRACT
Human trypanosomiasis occurs in the rural areas in 36 African countries. By force of circumstances the countries’ health programmes’ efforts have been reduced considerably over recent years. It is estimated that, as a result, amongst the 50 Million people at risk at present, only 5–10 Million are more or less protected by regular control programmes. The principles of control are systematic medical surveillance in combination, where possible, with local vector control. The paper reviews the various approaches and their respective advantages and shortcomings. Research over the last decades has resulted in simple new tools particularly for case detection and vector control. These methods being more suited for application by national health services with limited resources, do raise the hope that wider implementation of control measures can be envisaged in the near future. The participation by WHO and other international organizations in reviving national control programmes is discussed.
