Triatomine bugs, or kissing bugs, spread the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Public health leaders have recently raised alarms about this disease as an increasing public health threat in the United States. According to experts, including Dr. Norman Beatty, a physician who frequently treats Chagas patients, the U.S. should adopt a strategy that recognizes the disease as endemic, given its increasing prevalence. Chagas disease predominantly flourishes in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America. We’re finally beginning to see it penetrate down to the local level all across the United States.
Luna, a patient who tested positive for Chagas disease, acts as a case study demonstrating the disease’s possible effects. She comes from one of the many places that kissing bugs call home. Her recent diagnosis serves to highlight the growing threat posed by Chagas disease in the U.S. Within two months of starting treatment, she developed debilitating side effects. She developed hives and swelling in her hands and feet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 8 million people worldwide are infected with Chagas disease. In the United States, we’ve seen about 280,000 cases. Though common, many medical professionals are still unaware of the disease. Yet as recently as a 2010 survey, nearly 19% of the infectious disease doctors surveyed had no idea what Chagas even was. Moreover, 27% of them were not confident about their knowledge of the disease.
If left untreated, Chagas disease can cause life-threatening health issues, such as an enlarged heart and heart failure. It is estimated that 20-30% of those infected will develop long-term symptoms in adulthood. That’s why early detection and treatment is so important. Dr. Beatty emphasizes the importance of proactive healthcare measures to prevent long-term health issues.
“detect early and treat early to avoid the chronic, often permanent damage that can occur” – Dr. Norman Beatty
Alongside Luna’s case, historical evidence shows Chagas has been making itself at home in the region for some time. The remains of a man buried over 1,200 years ago in south Texas revealed signs of Chagas disease and an abnormally enlarged colon. This finding suggests that Chagas has been affecting populations in the area for centuries, underscoring the need for increased awareness and understanding.
Dr. Beatty treats patients with Chagas regularly at a clinic that specializes in travel medicine and tropical diseases. He advocates for an infrastructure that routinely screens individuals who have had exposure to kissing bugs or reside in areas known for transmission.
“We have the infrastructure to start screening people who have had exposure to these bugs and who may be in a region where we had known transmission, so we should be thinking about this as kind of routine care” – Dr. Norman Beatty
Chagas disease symptoms may not develop until weeks or sometimes months after infection. These commonly include fever, fatigue, and noticeable swelling around the eyelids. The difference between these initial symptoms and the resulting diagnosis can cause great shock for patients once they receive a diagnosis. Valerie, a mother of a child recently diagnosed with Chagas, shared her confusion over the disease.
“If you get a letter that tells you, you have blood cancer, you know what it is. But when you receive a letter and you hear, ‘Oh, your daughter has Chagas,’ … you’re like, oh, what is this?” – Valerie
Advocates and experts like Dr. Carrillo argue that education and awareness around Chagas disease is key to increasing healthcare response and ultimately patient outcomes. Dr. Beatty believes the more we know, the more we’ll be able to build the infrastructure needed to better control the disease.
“My hope is that with more awareness of Chagas, we can build a better infrastructure around helping others understand whether or not they are at risk of this disease” – Dr. Norman Beatty
Chagas disease, a public health challenge with profound historical roots is increasing within local populations. Even so, healthcare providers often still don’t get enough training on it. According to Dr. Bernardo Moreno Peniche, those attitudes and misconceptions still exist among physicians today.
“If you ask physicians about Chagas, they would think that it is either something transmitted by ticks … or they would say that’s something that doesn’t exist in the US” – Dr. Bernardo Moreno Peniche
Dr. Beatty calls for kissing bugs to be seen as a major public health threat in the U.S.
“We need to add kissing bugs to this list” – Dr. Norman Beatty