What disease is transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse flies, with its reservoirs including humans, wild game, and cattle?

Prepare for the Kentucky REHS Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes helpful hints and explanations. Enhance your test readiness today!

The disease transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse flies and involving reservoirs such as humans, wild game, and cattle is known as trypanosomiasis. This disease is caused by protozoan parasites from the Trypanosoma species, with the most notable forms being Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, which cause African sleeping sickness in humans.

Tsetse flies are unique to sub-Saharan Africa, and through their bites, they can transmit the parasites present in animal and human hosts. The presence of these various reservoirs, including livestock and wild animals, contributes to the persistence of the disease in certain regions. Understanding the transmission cycle emphasizes the importance of controlling tsetse fly populations and mitigating contact between flies and susceptible hosts, which is critical for managing and preventing outbreaks of trypanosomiasis.

In contrast, other options provided refer to different diseases that have different transmission vectors or mechanisms and are not associated with tsetse flies, which is why they are not relevant to the question asked.

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