Final answer:
The primary vector of sleeping sickness, or African trypanosomiasis, is the tsetse fly which transmits the pathogen Trypanosoma brucei through a bite. The disease causes neurological damage and is fatal if left untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary vector of sleeping sickness is the tsetse fly, an insect responsible for transmitting the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. This disease is also known as African trypanosomiasis and affects humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa. The tsetse fly transmits the parasite into the human bloodstream through a bite. Early symptoms of sleeping sickness include confusion, difficulty in sleeping, and lack of coordination. If left untreated, it can cause severe neurological damage and is fatal.
Different subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei, such as Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, are responsible for East and West African trypanosomiasis, respectively. The parasite evades the immune system by changing its surface glycoproteins, making it difficult for the immune system to mount a successful defense. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, the parasite will cause significant damage to the nervous system and eventually death.