Silent spread of neglected tropical disease in the U.S.
Image credit: k_matilda via Unsplash
The neglected tropical disease, Chagas, is no longer confined to the tropics, it’s now present in the United States, quietly spreading among wildlife. The parasite that causes it is primarily carried by triatomine insects, sometimes called “kissing bugs.” While human cases in the U.S. remain rare, scientists warn that climate change could expand the range of the insect that spreads the parasite, potentially increasing the risk to people. Monitoring wildlife and understanding these patterns is crucial to prevent future outbreaks.
Source
Irish A, Whitman JD, Clark EH, Marcus R, Bern C. Updated Estimates and Mapping for Prevalence of Chagas Disease among Adults, United States. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022;28(7):1313-1320. doi:10.3201/eid2807.212221
Additional Reading
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/chagas-disease-which-can-be-deadly-now-considered-endemic-us
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/chagas-disease-kissing-bug