The previous report of the WHO Expert Committee on this disease followed a meeting in 1995. Intensive, coordinated efforts against HAT during the intervening 18 years have resulted in a decrease in incidence to a point at which elimination is considered feasible. This report provides information about new diagnostic approaches, new therapeutic regimens and better understanding of the distribution of the disease with high-quality mapping. The roles of human and animal reservoirs and the tsetse fly vectors that transmit the parasites are emphasized. The new information has formed the basis for an integrated strategy with which it is hoped that elimination of HAT will be achieved. The report also contains recommendations on the approaches that will lead to elimination of the disease.