**Scientists Discover How Parasites Spread Beyond Africa, Posing Global Risks**
A team of scientists has uncovered how parasites responsible for the deadly disease sleeping sickness are spreading beyond their usual homes in Africa. These parasites, called African trypanosomes, have evolved in a surprising way—allowing them to infect animals and people in new parts of the world without relying on their usual method of transmission via tsetse flies.
Normally, tsetse flies in sub-Saharan Africa are responsible for spreading the trypanosomes, but recent studies show that these parasites are changing in response to climate shifts and efforts to control tsetse fly populations. These changes are allowing the parasites to spread independently of the flies, reaching regions like Asia, South America, and parts of Europe.
By analyzing over 80 parasite samples from people, animals, and flies, researchers discovered key genetic mutations that have simplified the parasite’s life cycle. These mutations allow the parasites to infect animals directly and potentially spread to humans, a development that could lead to future outbreaks in areas where the disease was once rare.
One of the key breakthroughs in this research was using a gene-editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9 to identify the mutations involved. This insight is crucial for understanding how these parasites evolve and could help scientists develop ways to detect new outbreaks quickly and prevent them from spreading further.
The researchers plan to continue their work to develop a portable diagnostic tool to catch new strains of the parasites early. Understanding these genetic changes is important for both preventing human and animal infections and managing the global health risks posed by these evolving parasites.
This study highlights the growing concern that climate change and other environmental factors are reshaping the spread of diseases, creating new challenges for public health worldwide.
