In Campo, a forested town in southern Cameroon where fishing and farming dominate daily life, sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis) continues to persist despite a sharp decline in cases. The disease, transmitted by the tsetse fly, can become fatal if untreated, as it gradually affects the nervous system. Young fisherman Philippe, 21, experienced early symptoms such as fatigue and fever but initially mistook them for a common illness. After weeks of self-treatment without improvement, he was diagnosed at the Campo District Medical Centre and successfully treated, eventually returning to work. His experience reflects a wider challenge in the region, where early symptoms are often confused with malaria, delaying diagnosis and care.
Health authorities, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), are strengthening surveillance, training health workers, and improving early detection to prevent such delays. Experts note that while Cameroon has made strong progress toward eliminating sleeping sickness as a public health problem, continued vigilance is essential to sustain gains. With very low case numbers now recorded, even a single missed diagnosis could slow elimination efforts.
In rural high-risk areas like Campo, fishermen and farmers living near rivers remain the most exposed due to the presence of tsetse flies. Local health workers report that many patients arrive late after ineffective malaria treatments, although newer oral therapies such as fexinidazole have made treatment simpler and more accessible. Community health workers also play a key role in awareness and early referral, helping residents recognize symptoms and seek timely care.
Philippe’s recovery underscores the importance of early treatment and public awareness, with health officials emphasizing that sustained screening, rapid diagnosis, and community engagement are critical to eliminating the disease completely. Cameroon’s progress demonstrates that while sleeping sickness is now rare, continued collective vigilance is necessary to ensure it does not re-emerge.
