[Trypanosoma rhodesiense African human trypanosomiasis foci in Burundi (vector : Glossina morsitans). Historic and present aspects (author's transl)].

From 1954, Trypanosoma rhodesiense trypanosomiasis affects North East Burundi in an endemic way. However, for two years (1979-1980) in spite of a constant monitoring, no new trypanosomiasic patient has been detected. The author, in order to appreciate the epidemiological prospects, reviews the history of trypanosomiasis in Burundi and considers the role of the geographical environment, the socio-economic changes and the various attempts to control the disease. Nowadays the existence of animal reservoirs is not proved and the human reservoir seems almost in existant. The vector still exists and the main danger might come from the Tanzanian foci.