Trypanosomiasis

Trypanosomes are a family of parasitic protists that cause a range of diseases in mammals and other animals known as trypanosomiasis. Trypanosomes are known as "black flag" diseases due to their unique ability to detect prey by releasing chemical signals. Thanks to this, secretive insects can easily detect animals in ambush and attack them. Although trypanosomes are transmitted by the bite of blood-sucking insects (such as bats), these parasites are also transmitted by contact (person-to-person transmission, such as through dirty drug needles). Trypanosome also carries the causative agent of Chagas disease, which causes consumptive Gombeyma disease in humans.