South-Carolina

Treatment for acute sleeping sickness has been brutal — until now

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

Treatment for acute sleeping sickness has been brutal — until now

Acute sleeping sickness – the treatment is almost as horrific as the disease.

But now there is encouraging news about an oral medication – one that’s also been used for chronic sleeping sickness to great success.

Symptoms for both forms of sleeping sickness start with fever and aches. Then things get worse. The parasite that causes the disease will start to disrupt sleeping patterns and cause aggressiveness and psychosis – that’s how it got its name.

For many years, therapy for both types would begin with a lumbar puncture to see if the parasite has invaded the central nervous system, followed by intravenous injections of a drug toxic to the kidneys and an arsenic-based drug that’s toxic to the brain. Up to 10% of patients would die from the treatment alone. But left untreated, the acute form of sleeping sickness is almost always fatal.

Within the last decade, treatments for the chronic form have become much safer with the use of an oral drug called fexinidazole. But for the roughly 100 people a year who get the acute form, the risky injections were the only option.

Now the European Medicines Agency has given their “positive scientific opinion” on the use of fexinidazole for the treatment of acute sleeping sickness as well. That opinion is based on results from an ongoing clinical trial showing that a 10-day course of pills cures the disease in 97% of patients – and should lead to approval of the drug by countries outside of the EU.

A deadly parasite found in cattle and spread by flies

Both forms of sleeping sickness have always presented tremendous challenges to the medical profession. One of the big concerns is that it’s not easy to diagnose. “It starts with very nonspecific symptoms” like weakness, dizziness, and weight loss, according to Dr. Olaf Valverde, clinical project leader for sleeping sickness at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and a researcher who was part of the fexinidazole trials. He says that because doctors often just treat for the usual suspect for the symptoms: malaria.

How quickly the disease progresses depends on the variant. There’s the gambiense variant of the parasite, which causes the chronic form. It’s found in West and Central Africa, takes months to develop after infection and is responsible for 92% of all sleeping sickness cases, which are now down to under 1,000 per year.

/ Ramon Aandrade 3DCIENCIA/ Science Source

Ramon Aandrade 3DCIENCIA/ Science Source

Computer model of the rhodesain protein from the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense parasite that causes acute sleeping sickness by attacking the brain.

Then there’s the rhodesiense variant, which causes the acute form and is the subject of the new European Medicines Agency opinion. It’s only found in East Africa, with most recent cases in Malawi. This less common form of sleeping sickness only takes weeks to fully develop.

Both parasites are spread by tsetse flies. The chronic form only circulates in humans, so the number of cases is relatively constant year after year, and surveillance programs can effectively track down and treat folks who are infected.

But the acute form has an animal reservoir, which makes surveillance a challenge. Experts know the rhodesiense parasite is always lurking in the animal population and has led to large outbreaks in the human population in the past.

Cattle are considered potential hosts for the parasite but currently it is “confined to game reserve areas,” says Dr. Westain Nyirenda, director of health and social services for the Rumphi district of Malawi and principal investigator in the fexinidazole clinical trial.

Experts think that an outbreak of this acute form of sleeping sickness infected half a million people in 1900 and more recently “there were outbreaks in the late ’80s, where in one year in Uganda, 8,000 people died,” according to Dr. Christian Burri, deputy head of the Department of Medicine at the Swiss Tropical and Public Institute, who was not directly involved in the latest clinical trial. There were outbreaks in the ’90s and 2000s as well.

So even though the number of sleeping sickness infections now seems low, the experts interviewed for this story are all concerned about the possibility of another outbreak – which is why there’s been an emphasis on finding safe and effective drugs to treat acute sleeping sickness.

Using an old drug to treat an old disease

The clinical trials which the European Medicines Agency based their opinion on were independently conducted by Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative in collaboration with Sanofi, the company that makes the drug. The drug that was tested, fexinidazole, was actually developed back in the 1970s and has been used over the past decade to treat the chronic form of sleeping sickness.

The reason it took so long to test fexinidazole against the acute form of sleeping sickness is because there are so few cases. This latest trial only had 45 participants, but fexinidazole did cure the disease in 97% of patients.

“We noted one relapse and that is in the report,” says Nyrienda. As a result, specialists in sleeping sickness say that the treatment involving injections “will still have to be there for backup.”

There’s hope for an even better solution on the horizon. Earlier this year, NPR reported on a single-dose oral drug that could cure the chronic form of sleeping sickness; that drug has not yet been tested against the acute form, though there are plans to do so soon.

Low cases and safe drugs doesn’t mean the fight is over

The new treatment option has experts optimistic that the world can eliminate the chronic form of sleeping sickness. But because of the animal reservoir, Nyrienda says that total elimination of the acute form “might not be possible” and that future outbreaks are a real concern.

Other obstacles loom. For one thing, distribution of the medicine to remote areas is a major issue, as is diagnosis. Valverde says that often the sleeping sickness parasite would be discovered “in accidental findings on blood slides taken for malaria suspicion.” The advent of rapid malaria diagnostics means those blood slides aren’t being taken anymore, so new tests for sleeping sickness need to be developed.

Complacency is also a concern. According to Valverde. “The [fewer] cases you get, the more both the community health system and the international partners tend to think that the problem is solved. And this is not yet the case.”

This is why Burri is worried that history could repeat itself. “In the mid-’60s, only a handful of cases existed after huge efforts by the French and the British colonial forces,” he says. Then health-care priorities changed and cases from both parasites “came dramatically.”

The hope is that fexinidazole will make a difference. Since it is safe and effective, unlike the prior treatment for acute sleeping sickness, people may be more willing to get treatment, lessening the impact of any future outbreak.

Still, Burri stresses that the fight is not over. “It’s a disease that has shown more than once that it comes back if we look away,” he says.

Valverde agrees. “We are in the last mile and the last mile is the most difficult.”

Max Barnhart is a Ph.D. candidate and science journalist studying the evolution of heat-stress resistance in sunflowers at the University of Georgia.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lowcountry Community Calendar of Events

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lowcountry Community Calendar of Events

Staff
| Bluffton Today

South Carolina Lowcountry Calendar of Events

For events, festivals and other community happenings in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties, and around the Lowcountry, check out our Lowcountry Calendar of Events. If you have an open-to-the-public event you would like to announce, submit by email to:

Beaufort County events

Bluffton Independence Day 5K set for July 2 at 7 p.m. at New Riverside Barn Park

Residents and visitors are invited to participate in the third annual Bluffton Independence Day 5K and Kids Fun Run benefiting the Mayor’s Stay Safe Bluffton Scholarship Fund.

Event highlights:• 5K begins at 7 p.m.• Free “Chase the Chief” Kids Fun Run at 6:45 p.m.• First 400 registered participants receive a commemorative race T-shirt• Packet pickup: Wednesday, July 1, from 4-7 p.m. at New Riverside Barn, 30 Red Barn• No race-day registration• Awards ceremony immediately following the race• Free concert featuring Deas-Guyz following awards presentation• Food, beer, and wine available for purchase• *New*: Patriotic drone show at dark, sponsored by the Town of Bluffton and Fetch A Vet

Parking and Shuttle InformationAttendees should park at Pritchardville Elementary School, 9447 Evan Way, and use the free Savannah Trolley shuttle to New Riverside Barn Park.Shuttle service runs continuously from 5:30-11 p.m. The final shuttle departure from the event area will be approximately 10:30 p.m.Parking at New Riverside Barn Park is extremely limited and reserved for event operations, vendors, and ADA-accessible parking.Independence Day pre-party set for July 3 from 5p.m. until 9p.m. at Martin Family Park and DuBois Park

Enjoy a family-friendly evening filled with music, food, and activities before the fireworks display.Activities include:• Carnival-style games with patriotic prizes while supplies last• Bounce houses and rock wall• Food and beverage vendors• DJ Jeff “T-Bone” Taylor• Live music by the Parris Island Dirty Boots Brass Band from 6-7 p.m.• Presentation of the Colors by Bluffton Boy Scout Troop 241• National Anthem performance at 5:55 p.m. by a local student performerThe Town is committed to accessibility and inclusion. Many activities will be located on paved surfaces to accommodate guests of all abilities and/or with special needs.Fireworks DisplayFriday, July 3 | 9 p.m.Oyster Factory Park and Wright Family ParkThe Town’s annual 20-minute fireworks show will launch from a barge in the May River and can be viewed from both parks.Food vendors will be available, with food and beverages available for purchase.Please note barge positioning may change due to weather, water conditions, and other operational factors. Guests may need to adjust viewing locations.Parking and Shuttle for Pre-Party and FireworksAttendees are encouraged to use the free Savannah Trolley shuttle from Town Hall, 20 Bridge St.Parking is available near the shuttle stop, including:• Town Hall parking lots (20 Bridge Street surrounding Town Hall)• M.C. Riley Elementary School bus parking lot on Bridge Street• Newly renovated parking lot on Pritchard Street near the Beaufort County pool and baseball field• M.C. Riley Early Education Center bus loop on Pritchard StreetShuttle service runs continuously from 4-11 p.m.Additional parking options include Town public parking lots and paid church parking at:• First Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 10 Robertson St.• Campbell Chapel AME Church, 25 Boundary St.• Cornerstone Church, 1300 May River Road

ADA ParkingDesignated ADA parking is available at Town Hall.A complimentary golf cart shuttle for guests with mobility needs will be provided by the Town of Bluffton and Hidden Treasures.Road ClosuresFor public safety, roads near event venues will be closed to vehicle traffic.Thursday evening:• Lawrence Street• Green StreetFriday beginning at 3 p.m.:• Calhoun Street from Green Street to Water Street• Bridge Street from Boundary Street to Wharf StreetLocal access will be limited after 8 p.m.Bluffton police officers will assist homeowners with access, except between 8-11 p.m.Dock Closures and Boater AdvisoryFor public safety, both the Calhoun Street Regional Dock and Oyster Factory Dock will close to pedestrians from 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 3.Boaters may access the May River throughout the day, but temporary restrictions will be implemented prior to and during the fireworks display.As launch time approaches, law enforcement will establish a safety zone around the fireworks barge. During this time, vessels may experience temporary restrictions entering or leaving certain areas.The public boat ramp remains open, but boaters should anticipate delays immediately before and during the fireworks display.Weather PolicyEvents will be held rain or shine unless canceled for safety reasons.Due to event logistics and staffing, canceled events will not be rescheduled.Reminder: Fireworks Are Illegal in BlufftonPersonal fireworks are prohibited within Bluffton town limits.Bluffton police officers will confiscate illegal fireworks and respond to complaints.Bluffton Municipal Code Sec. 14-99:It is unlawful to fire, sell, store, or possess fireworks within the Town of Bluffton.

Town of Bluffton Independence Day Celebration July 3

Town of Bluffton 5th Annual Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 3. The celebration will begin at 5 p.m. with a pre-party at Martin Family and DuBois Parks. The fireworks show will start shortly after 9 p.m. and will be visible from Oyster Factory and Wright Family Parks.

• Carnival-style games with patriotic prizes (while supplies last)

• Bounce houses and a rock wall

• Food and beverage concessions available for purchase

• 104.9 The Surf Jeff T-Bone Taylor

• Live music by the Parris Island “Dirty Boots” Brass Band from 6–7 p.m.

• Rick Hubbard’s Bubble Stuff Show

• National Anthem sung by a local Bluffton student

Fireworks Display: 9 p.m. | Oyster Factory & Wright Family Parks

The fireworks show will launch from a barge in the May River and can be viewed from both parks.

Note: Barge positioning may change due to various factors; attendees may need to adjust their seating to ensure the best view.

Great American Kids Show set for Aug. 21 in Bluffton

The Town of Bluffton will be presenting Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show Aug. 21 at New Riverside Barn Park. Preshow starts at 6:30 p.m. with the performance from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is a free family event and there will be food trucks on site for purchases. Free kazoos will also be distributed while supplies last.

List of food pantries from around the Lowcountry

Jasper County Events

Families Against Gun Violence hosting event July 18 in Ridgeland

Families Against Gun Violence will be hosting a dinner at Wagonbranch Community Center in Ridgeland July 11 which will feature several speakers. The speakers will include law enforcement officials and others. For more information, contact LaHoma Scott at (843)368-6629.

Library Card Design Contest open until June 30

Get your creative energy ready because the Library Card Contest is now open! This exciting contest invites anyone who lives, works, studies, or volunteers in Allendale, Hampton, and Jasper counties to showcase their artistic talent by designing a brand-new library card! Show off your creativity and leave your mark on the community! For complete details: https://ahjlibrary.org/library-card-design-contest/

Back-back giveaway July 18 in Ridgeland

A back-back giveaway will be held July 18 at KTM Destiny Center in Ridgeland. There will be backpack giveaways for back to school. The event will take place from noon until 3 p.m. and hosted by the Clementa Pinckney Foundation. The giveaways are for school-aged children and there will also be food and music at the event.

Hampton County events

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for June 30, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for June 30, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 30, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 30 drawing

26-41-50-53-62, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 30 drawing

Midday: 6-6-5, FB: 3

Evening: 1-1-7, FB: 2

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 30 drawing

Midday: 5-1-7-3, FB: 3

Evening: 5-6-8-6, FB: 2

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 30 drawing

Midday: 15

Evening: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 30 drawing

17-19-22-36-37

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South-Carolina

Live nightly lottery drawings hit ABC15 as SC Education Lottery partner

Published

22 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Press Room

Live nightly lottery drawings hit ABC15 as SC Education Lottery partner

(WPDE) — ABC15 is the new official broadcast home for South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) drawings, beginning Wednesday, July 1!

Weekday evening drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4, Palmetto Cash 5 and Cash Pop will air live just before the 7:00 p.m. newscast and are approximately one minute long.

ABC15 will also air live jackpot drawings during its 11 p.m. newscast on:

Mega Millions: Tuesdays and Fridays

Powerball: Wednesdays and Saturdays

In addition to the live broadcasts, official SCEL results will be displayed on-screen following the midday Pick 3, Pick 4 and Cash Pop drawings. Weekend evening drawings will also be shown through official results crawls.

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