Chagas Disease
[CHAH-gus]
Chagas disease, first described in 1909 by Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which is transmitted to animals and people by the triatomine (“kissing”) bug. Chagas disease is also known as American trypanosomiasis and is found primarily in the Americas (mainly in rural areas of Latin America where poverty is widespread). It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they have it. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life threatening.
Quiz
Key Facts
- Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to people by triatomine (“kissing”) bugs.
- People with Chagas disease can be anywhere in the world, but kissing bugs only transmit it in the Americas.
- There are 2 phases of Chagas disease: acute and chronic phases. Both phases can be symptom-free or life threatening.
- Triatomine (“kissing”) bugs are a type of reduviid bug that can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
- A pregnant woman can pass Chagas disease to her unborn baby, resulting in congenital Chagas disease.
Media
Triatomine bugs are a type of reduviid bug that can carry Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Triatomine bugs (also called “kissing bugs”) carrying T. cruzi are found in Mexico, Central America, South America (as far south as southern Argentina), and the southern United States. Not all triatomine bugs are infected with T. cruzi.
If left untreated, T. cruz infection is lifelong. Most infected people will not know they have it. An estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop severe, sometimes life-threatening medical problems, including heart rhythm abnormalities that can cause sudden death, a dilated heart that doesn’t pump blood well, and other complications.
Chagas disease is common in parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America where an estimated 7 million people are infected, such as this patient in Bolivia who is being monitored for a Chagas disease-related heart condition. Photo credit: Dr. Rachel Marcus, Latin American Society of Chagas
Improved housing, spraying insecticide inside housing to eliminate triatomine bugs, and preventing transmission from blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and mother-to-baby are important public health tools to help prevent Chagas disease. Early detection and treatment also help reduce the burden of disease.
An estimated 40,000 U.S. women of childbearing age are infected with T. cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, with as many as 315 infected infants born every year. Most babies born with congenital Chagas disease have mild or no signs of illness. However, they are at risk for developing Chagas disease later in life unless treated.
Prevention Tips
In the United States and in other regions where Chagas disease is found but is not widespread, control strategies are focused on preventing transmission from blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and mother-to-baby.
People who travel to areas where the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite is present in triatomine bugs are encouraged to:
- sleep indoors in well-constructed facilities (for example, air-conditioned or screened hotel rooms); this lowers the risk of exposure to infected triatomine bugs that usually live in poor-quality dwellings and are most active at night
- spray infested dwellings with long-lasting insecticides, use bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticides, wear protective clothing, and apply insect repellent to exposed skin
- observe food and beverage precautions and avoid consuming salads, uncooked vegetables, unpeeled fruits, and unpasteurized fruit juices