Microbiology Practice Exam

The primary method of transmission for African sleeping sickness, which is caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei, is through the bites of infected tsetse flies. These flies are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are known to be the biological vectors of the disease. When a tsetse fly bites a human, it transmits the parasite into the bloodstream, leading to the symptoms associated with sleeping sickness.

Understanding the role of the tsetse fly is crucial in public health efforts aimed at controlling and preventing the disease, as it highlights the importance of vector control strategies in affected areas. Unlike other forms of transmission, such as human-to-human contact or through contaminated water, the involvement of a specific vector, in this case, the tsetse fly, makes the transmission dynamics of African sleeping sickness unique. This is why measures to avoid tsetse fly bites, such as wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent, are essential in areas where the disease is prevalent.