African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a severe disease, which is fatal if left untreated. There are two types of African trypanosomiasis, East and West, named after the region of Africa in which they were historically found. It is closely related to a widespread infection of cattle known as N’gana, which restricts cattle rearing in many prime areas of Africa. Sleeping sickness claims comparatively few lives annually, but the risk of major epidemics means that surveillance and ongoing control measures must be maintained. People can get the disease if they are bitten by an infected tsetse fly, which is only found in Africa. Treatment is available for African trypanosomiasis.

The disease affects human and animal health resulting in death if not treated and reducing livestock and overall agricultural production primarily due to lack of animal power and manure. Unfortunately, policy makers in many countries do not consider trypanosomiasis a priority for many affected countries.

A statutory council of the African Union with a secretariat at AU-IBAR, the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) is responsible for trypanosomiasis research and control activities on the continent and has created awareness to initiate the trypanosomiasis campaign in Africa since 1949.