What is an African fly called?
What is an African fly called?
Tsetse fly, (genus Glossina), also spelled tse-tse, also called tik-tik fly, any of about two to three dozen species of bloodsucking flies in the housefly family, Muscidae (order Diptera), that occur only in Africa and transmit sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) in humans and a similar disease called nagana in …
What countries have tsetse fly?
Tsetse flies are found just in sub-Saharan Africa though only certain species transmit the disease.
Where is tsetse fly found?
sub-Saharan Africa
How do you protect against tsetse fly?
Prevention & Control
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants of medium-weight material in neutral colors that blend with the background environment. Tsetse flies are attracted to bright or dark colors, and they can bite through lightweight clothing.
- Inspect vehicles before entering.
- Avoid bushes.
- Use insect repellent.
Is African trypanosomiasis a virus or bacteria?
African trypanosomiasis, also known as African sleeping sickness or simply sleeping sickness, is an insect-borne parasitic infection of humans and other animals. It is caused by the species Trypanosoma brucei.
How is sleeping sickness diagnosed?
Tests can find the parasite. These tests may include blood samples and a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). Your provider may also take a sample of chancre fluid or tissue, or fluid from swollen lymph nodes.
Why is there no vaccine for African sleeping sickness?
There are many obstacles to development of such a vaccine. One obstacle is variant surface glycoprotein which makes it difficult for the immune system to recognize the infectious organism. Also, Trypanosoma brucei has a direct inhibitory effect upon B cells.
Why are tsetse flies attracted to blue?
“When the tsetse flies are looking for targets to bite, they’re generally looking for something that contrasts with the green vegetation,” explains Steve Torr, an entomologist at the University of Liverpool in the U.K. “They’re attracted to bright colors, and for some reason they’re especially attracted to bright blue. …
How is sleeping sickness controlled?
No vaccine or medicine can prevent African sleeping sickness. But you can avoid being bitten by tsetse flies. Experts recommend the following: Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants.
What is the life cycle of trypanosomiasis?
The life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi involves two intermediate hosts: the invertebrate vector (triatomine insects) and the vertebrate host (humans) and has three developmental stages namely, trypomastigotes, amastigotes and epimastigotes [8].
How do trypanosomes evade immune system?
Trypanosoma brucei parasites successfully evade the host immune system by periodically switching the dense coat of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) at the cell surface. Each parasite expresses VSGs in a monoallelic fashion that is tightly regulated.
What is Malarias life cycle?
The malaria parasite life cycle involves two hosts. During a blood meal, a malaria-infected female Anopheles mosquito inoculates sporozoites into the human host . Sporozoites infect liver cells and mature into schizonts , which rupture and release merozoites .
What is the meaning of trypanosomes?
: any of a genus (Trypanosoma) of parasitic flagellate protozoans that infest the blood of various vertebrates including humans, are usually transmitted by the bite of an insect, and include some that cause serious diseases (such as sleeping sickness and Chagas disease)