Chagas Disease

Causing concern throughout Texas is the emergence of Chagas disease as a threat. Common in Central and South America, Chagas disease is caused by a tropical parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted through the feces of the triatomine bug (aka "kissing bug").



Kissing Bug



Chagas risk in Texas

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 8 million and 11 million people throughout the Americas are infected by the parasite, even though most do not know it. That’s because symptoms of the disease are often very similar to that of the flu – fever, shooting pains, etc.

The disease can also lay dormant for many years without showing any symptoms. This can be extremely dangerous, because the disease is fatal if untreated.

Another concern is that donated blood for transfusions is not subject to screening for the Chagas parasite, thereby providing an additional pathway for spreading the disease.

The prevalence of the Chagas parasite in rats and other carriers is being studied and discussion has been initiated to have Chagas classified as a reportable disease.