Mapped: Where deadly ‘kissing bug’ disease Chagas has spread in the US
What we know about Chagas disease and where it has been reported in the US
- Chagas disease, a potentially life-threatening parasitic illness previously considered endemic to Latin America, has been detected in humans across multiple US states.
- Transmitted by 'kissing bugs', the disease can remain dormant for years, often only manifesting through serious cardiac issues such as heart attacks or strokes.
- Infected insects carrying the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite have been found in 32 US states, with human cases reported in eight states, including Texas, California, and Arizona.
- The true scale of Chagas disease in the US is difficult to ascertain due to widespread underreporting, as it is not a mandatory reportable illness in the majority of states.
- Researchers are urging health officials to classify Chagas as endemic in the US and implement enhanced reporting systems to accurately gauge and address its prevalence.