A Silent Disease

Chagas⁣ disease, caused by a parasite spread by triatomine bugs⁤ – commonly⁢ known as “kissing bugs” – is prevalent in rural areas of Mexico and Central and South America. Neither Luna nor Valerie had prior knowledge of the ‍disease, despite their family’s travel history.

“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⁤ recounted.

Dr. Norman Beatty, a leading researcher on kissing bugs, notes that awareness of Chagas is low, even within the United States, despite its presence within the country.

Call for⁤ Endemic Disease Recognition

Dr. Beatty, an associate ⁢professor of medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine, is part of a team advocating for the United States to recognize Chagas as⁢ an endemic disease -‌ meaning it has a constant, usual prevalence within a specific population and geographic area. Their goal is to increase public awareness and improve healthcare infrastructure.

“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” ⁤and encourage consideration alongside other vector-borne illnesses like those from mosquitoes and ticks, said Beatty. “We need to add kissing bugs to this list.”

How Chagas Spreads and Its Impact

Kissing ‍bugs transmit the parasite through⁤ their droppings, which can enter the body through cuts, the eyes, or the mouth, according⁤ to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC).

Initial symptoms ​can include fever, ⁤fatigue, and eyelid swelling. However, many individuals, like Luna, experience ‍no immediate⁤ symptoms. Approximately 20-30% of infected⁤ individuals develop chronic health issues later in life, including an enlarged heart leading to heart failure, or enlargement of the esophagus or colon, causing digestive⁣ problems.

The CDC estimates that around 8 million​ people globally, including 280,000 in the United States, are⁣ living with Chagas disease.

A Long-Standing US Presence

Chagas isn’t a new arrival to the US. Analysis ‍of 1,200-year-old remains found in South Texas revealed a man infected with Chagas and exhibiting an abnormally enlarged‌ colon, as reported in the Gastroenterology journal.

Recent human ⁤development has brought people closer to the natural habitats of kissing bugs,increasing exposure risk. The new report, published in the‌ CDC’s emerging Infectious Diseases journal,indicates that people in‍ at least eight states have contracted Chagas from local bugs.

Underreporting and Lack of Awareness

The report highlights ​that the disease’s⁢ lack of official “endemic” status contributes to “low awareness and underreporting.” A 2010 survey of American Medical Association providers found that 19% of infectious disease doctors had never heard ⁢of Chagas,and‍ 27% lacked confidence in their ⁤knowledge of ​the disease.

“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,” explained Dr. Bernardo Moreno Peniche, a physician and anthropologist involved in the report.

Despite this,‍ Dr.Beatty regularly treats patients with Chagas contracted⁢ in Latin america at a Florida clinic specializing in travel and tropical⁣ diseases.

Improving Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Beatty⁣ dispels the misconception that Chagas tests are⁤ unreliable or unavailable in the US.He⁤ advocates for routine screening of individuals with potential exposure, especially in known transmission areas.

After receiving the initial positive test result, Luna’s mother, ⁢valerie, consulted‍ with pediatricians and infectious disease specialists. While some initially dismissed the result​ as a “false ​positive,” further testing ⁤confirmed the diagnosis, ‍and treatment⁣ was eventually initiated.

Frustrated with the initial medical response, valerie sought out Dr. Beatty, who prescribed a different anti-parasitic therapy.‌ This treatment is often⁤ recommended even for asymptomatic individuals to prevent ​long-term complications.

Luna completed a two-month treatment course, experiencing side effects like hives and swelling. While ​there’s no⁤ definitive test to confirm ‌long-term eradication of⁣ the parasite, treatment significantly ‌reduces the risk of developing chronic symptoms.

A Call to Action

“I⁤ hope the CDC takes it seriously,” Valerie stated, “and that we can move forward and have good awareness, so that people want to be tested and get tested and get the treatment they need.”