"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a potentially deadly condition could become an endemic illness in the U.S. A parasitic infection called Chagas disease is transmitted through an insect known as the "kissing bug." It got its name because it usually bites people's faces, close to the lips. The disease is caused by a parasite found in the feces of the bug. Chagas disease can cause chronic problems and even death."
"People often ignore the initial symptoms, such as flu-like illness and rash, or they don't experience any. A heart attack or stroke may be the first time you learn you have the fairly rare parasitic infection that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Although pets can also be carriers, Chagas disease is not transmitted from animals or from other people. The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 100 million people are considered at-risk of being infected."
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection transmitted by triatomine 'kissing bugs' that typically bite faces and contaminate the bite site with parasite-laden feces. Initial infection can be asymptomatic or cause flu-like illness and rash, often going unnoticed. Infection can remain dormant for decades before causing chronic complications such as cardiomyopathy, heart attack, stroke, dysphagia and death. The World Health Organization estimates over 100 million people are at risk. The CDC notes Chagas is endemic in 21 Americas countries and warns rising U.S. cases could warrant endemic classification; about 300,000 U.S. infections exist, with roughly one-third in California.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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