Sleeping sickness is a very serious disease that attacks men and animals in Africa. It is an infection caused by parasites called “trypanosomiasis.” These parasites, or germs, are carried by the tsetse fly which is common in many parts of central Africa.

The tsetse fly may pick up the parasites when it bites a sick man or animal. The trypanosomes enter the fly’s stomach and begin to multiply. They then pass through the salivary glands which supply juice to the fly’s mouth. Here they develop into forms which can infect man.