Sun Sep 07 11:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the information about Chagas disease:
**Kissing Bugs: Deadly Parasite Now Found in 32 States, Experts Warn**
**[City, State] –** Health officials are sounding the alarm about the increasing presence of “kissing bugs” in the United States, insects that can transmit a potentially deadly parasitic infection known as Chagas disease. These bugs, so named because they often bite people on the face around the mouth and eyes, have now been identified in 32 states across the country.
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite *Trypanosoma cruzi*, carried in the guts of approximately 55% of kissing bugs in the US. The parasite is usually transmitted through the bugs’ feces, deposited near bite wounds. Infection can also occur via organ donation, blood transfusion, or from mother to child during pregnancy.
While the disease is endemic in many parts of Latin America, experts are now urging the CDC and WHO to officially declare Chagas disease endemic in the U.S. At least eight cases of local transmission have already been confirmed, and the American Heart Association estimates that around 300,000 people in the US are infected. The bugs have been found in 32 states, with Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona reporting the highest number of cases.
The disease progresses in two phases. The acute phase, occurring in the weeks or months after infection, often presents with mild or no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include fever, fatigue, body aches, and rash. The chronic phase can last for years, even a lifetime. While many remain asymptomatic, a significant portion of those infected eventually develop severe heart or digestive problems, potentially leading to heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden death.
Early detection is crucial, as drugs like benznidazole and nifurtimox can effectively kill the parasite during the acute phase. However, the lack of noticeable symptoms in the early stages often leads to underdiagnosis.
“If we screened for it and caught it early, most patients could be cured,” warned cardiologist Salvador Hernandez. “The problem is, we don’t, and people end up dying or requiring terrifically expensive care, including organ transplants and surgery.”
Acknowledging the endemicity of Chagas disease in the United States would facilitate improved surveillance, research, and public health responses, according to researchers. Greater public awareness is key to prevention, early detection, and treatment of this potentially life-threatening illness.
First Piper 