Despite its modest size, the tsetse fly is one of the most dangerous animals. Its bites can cause fatal diseases that kill a significant part of the African population.
Where the tsetse fly lives
This insect lives in tropical and subtropical Africa. Tsetse is a whole genus of flies that includes several species. There are certain species that live in forests, savannas and the coastal strip. Thus, these insects are found almost anywhere in their habitat. Tsetse are similar to common flies that are widespread in the middle lane. They have the same size - 1-1.5 cm, a characteristic grayish color and large mesh eyes. They can only be distinguished by their pointed proboscis and wings, which the flies fold crosswise, one on top of the other. If the food of a typical housefly is scraps from the human table and carrion, then tsetse feeds on the blood of mammals.
The tsetse fly does not attack the zebra. Due to its characteristic color, the tsetse does not perceive it as a living creature.
Why is tsetse dangerous?
The fly bite itself is harmless, but the insect is a carrier of trypanosome parasites, which cause serious diseases in humans and animals. Due to the low development of health care on the African continent, many people die from these diseases. One of the most serious consequences of a tsetse bite is sleeping sickness or African trypanosomiasis. The first sign of this condition is an itchy red sore at the site of the bite. Later, the patient's temperature rises, pain in the head and muscles appears, and lymph nodes swell. In later stages, the infected person becomes delirious, drowsy, irritable and confused. In the last stage, the patient experiences difficulties with movement and speech and eventually dies. The painful condition can last for several years. On average, more than 10,000 people suffer from trypanosomiasis every year. During major epidemics, the disease affected about 50% of the entire continent.
The country with the highest number of sleeping sickness cases is Congo.
The danger of sleeping sickness is that it is difficult to diagnose. It usually affects people from poor neighborhoods who are not worried about sudden weakness or headaches. Often they seek medical help at a later stage, when the patient begins to have mental problems. The disease is also dangerous because it is transmitted to the child from an infected mother. Diagnosing the disease is quite difficult - it includes taking blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests. Very few African laboratories have the capacity to conduct such tests. Developed countries are helping Africa fight sleeping sickness by regularly screening people in poor neighborhoods and providing free medicines.
