Life-Threatening Chagas Disease Still Overlooked Among North America's Impoverished Robert Herriman - The Global Dispatch
go to original February 10, 2014

Researchers are warning that the little-known Chagas Disease could pose a threat similar to other global pandemics. (PressTV/madbadhadsad)

A leading cause of heart disease remains overlooked in North America’s most impoverished communities, researchers said in an editorial published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Chagas disease has rendered a heavy health and economic toll, yet insufficient political and medical support for gathering specific data, providing diagnosis and treatment, and developing new tools has impeded much-needed breakthroughs.

... Chagas disease is a parasitic infection most commonly transmitted through blood-feeding triatomine bugs, but it can also be spread through pregnancy, blood transfusion, and contaminated food or drink.  Up to 30% of infections result in debilitating and life-threatening heart disease and severe intestinal and liver complications. People living in extremely impoverished communities are most vulnerable because of poor-quality housing and inadequate access to health care, education and vector control.

Read the rest at The Global Dispatch

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