Where is Chagas disease found in US?

Vector-borne transmission of Chagas disease occurs in the Americas, including the southern half of North America, where the specific vector insects (triatomines), T. cruzi

T. cruzi

Trypanosoma cruzi is a species of parasitic euglenoids. Among the protozoa, the trypanosomes characteristically bore tissue in another organism and feed on blood (primarily) and also lymph.

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Trypanosoma cruzi - Wikipedia

, and infected reservoir mammalian hosts are found.

Is Chagas disease found in the United States?

Although there are triatomine bugs in the United States, only a few cases of Chagas disease from contact with the bugs have been documented in this country.

What states have Chagas?

Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are the states with the most different species and most findings of kissing bugs. Scientists have found that about 50% of kissing bugs are infected with the Chagas parasite. Kissing bugs are a 'vector' because they can carry a parasite that can make people and animal sick.

What states is the kissing bug found in?

Most of the world's kissing bugs are in Central and South America and Mexico. They've also been found in the United States in the lower 28 states, with higher concentrations in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Kissing bugs have been spotted a far north as Delaware, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Should I be worried about Chagas disease?

Also called American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease can infect anyone. Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems. During the acute phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease focuses on killing the parasite.

Chagas Disease in the United States

Can you survive Chagas?

Many people may remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop severe and sometimes life-threatening medical problems over the course of their lives.

Can you survive Chagas disease?

Trypanosoma cruzi infection is curable if treatment is initiated soon after infection. In chronic patients, antiparasitic treatment can potentially prevent or curb disease progression and prevent transmission, for instance, mother-to-child infection.

Who is the most common victim of Chagas?

People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

How fatal is Chagas disease?

About 70-80% of people will remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop health problems years to decades later that are often fatal.

When should you get tested for Chagas?

Indications for Testing

Laboratory testing for Chagas disease is indicated in individuals who are at risk when clinical findings point to acute- or chronic-phase infection.

Do all kissing bugs carry Chagas?

Kissing bugs can carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease. It's important to know that not all kissing bugs are infected with the parasite, and the likelihood of contracting Chagas disease is low.

What keeps kissing bugs away?

Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, walls, roofs, and doors. Removing wood, brush, and rock piles near your house. Using screens on doors and windows and repairing any holes or tears. If possible, making sure yard lights are not close to your house (lights can attract the bugs)

Can I get Chagas from my dog?

Does Chagas disease affect humans? Chagas disease can affect humans if they encounter infected insects. However, there have not been any reported cases of dog-to-insect-to-human transmission of Chagas disease within the United States.

How can a person catch Chagas?

When people become infected by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, they can get Chagas disease. The feces of insects called triatomine, or “kissing” bugs, pass the parasite to humans. These bugs feed on the blood of animals and humans at night.

Which kissing bug species is most common in the United States?

Triatoma sanguisuga is the most commonly encountered species in the southern United States and has the broadest geographic range. It is associated with nests or burrows of raccoons, armadillos, and opossums, all of which are susceptible to T. cruzi.

Who is most at risk for Chagas?

Anyone exposed to the feces or urine of an infected kissing bug (triatomine) can develop Chagas disease. The infection is most common in rural or impoverished continental South America, Mexico and Central America.

Does Chagas affect the brain?

The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) during human acute and chronic Chagas disease (CD) has been largely reported. Meningoencephalitis is a frequent finding during the acute infection, while during chronic phase the CNS involvement is often accompanied by behavioral and cognitive impairments.

Do bed bugs carry Chagas?

University of Pennsylvania Health System: “Penn Study Shows Bed Bugs Can Transmit Parasite that Causes Chagas Disease.”

How do you protect yourself from Chagas?

Can you get tested for Chagas?

The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.

Can Chagas bugs fly?

Adult conenose bugs can fly and are attracted to lights on warm nights. They may enter homes under doors or through open windows. Although very rare in California, conenose bugs can spread the parasite (called Trypanasoma cruzi) that causes Chagas disease.

What happens if my dog eats a kissing bug?

Can kissing bugs kill dogs? Not directly, but kissing bugs can carry and transmit a parasite that can cause Chagas disease. Not all dogs who are exposed will develop symptoms, but some dogs can develop fatal heart disease.

What kills Chagas bugs?

How do you know if you've been bitten by a kissing bug?

Kissing bugs can cause patches of bites, often around the mouth. The bites are usually painless, but they may swell and look like hives. Itching from the bites may last a week.

What eats the kissing bug?

Kissing bugs are bloodsuckers and seek out mammals including dogs. Dogs eat bugs and will snatch up kissing bugs.