Human African trypanosomiasis in a Belgian traveller returning from the Masai Mara area, Kenya, February 2012

Euro Surveill. 2012 Mar 8;17(10):20111.

Abstract

A Belgian traveller was diagnosed with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) due to Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense nine days after visiting the Masai Mara area in Kenya. He presented with an inoculation chancre and was treated with suramin within four days of fever onset. Two weeks earlier, HAT was also reported in a German traveller who had visited the Masai Mara area. Because no cases have occurred in the area for over 12 years, this may indicate a focal cluster of HAT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Belgium
  • Chancre / etiology
  • Fever / etiology
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Kenya
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Suramin / therapeutic use
  • Travel*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trypanocidal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / genetics
  • Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / isolation & purification*
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / blood
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / diagnosis*
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / drug therapy
  • White People

Substances

  • Trypanocidal Agents
  • Suramin