Chagas Disease: 'Kissing Bugs' Pose Deadly Risk Jennifer Deutschmann - Inquisitr
go to original July 31, 2014

"Kissing bugs" suck the blood of their prey and pass on a potentially lethal parasite: Chagas disease, now very common in Latin America. They're also found in Texas, where a scientist is trying to track the pest and assess its threat to humans. (AFP)

Doctors have confirmed numerous cases of Chagas disease in the US. Although the “kissing bug disease” is most prevalent in Bolivia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate more than 300,000 United States residents could be infected.

Chagas disease is spread by triatomine bugs, which are commonly referred to as “kissing bugs.” The nocturnal insects are quite common throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America. However, several species of triatomine have been identified in the southern United States.

Like mosquitoes, kissing bugs feed on blood. As reported by the CDC, Triatomine bugs often carry parasites, which cause Chagas disease. However, infection is not spread through the bugs’ saliva. It is actually passed through their feces:

Experts contend “the likelihood of getting Chagas disease… in the United States is low, even if the bug is infected.” However, cases diagnosed within the US are on the rise.

Read the rest at Inquisitr

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!