All you need to know about Chagas disease caused by 'kissing bugs,' as WHO raises alarm

The World Health Organization (WHO) marked World Chagas Disease Day on April 14, shedding light on this often-overlooked illness, which is generally often overall illness. The WHO emphasized the urgent need to raise public awareness and secure increased funding and support for early diagnosis and comprehensive care initiatives.

It's #WorldChagasDiseaseDay #ChagasDisease has the most disproportionate impact among Latin America's impoverished communities but it is increasingly detected in other parts of the world.

With an estimated 6-7M people infected globally and high mortality rates, it poses a… pic.twitter.com/wc9Uh4kwGT

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 14, 2024

Chagas disease: An overview

Chagas disease, named after Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas who discovered it in 1909, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It primarily affects poor populations in Latin America but is increasingly being detected in other regions worldwide.

How infections spread?

The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected triatomine bugs, commonly known as "kissing bugs," which feed on blood, usually at night. Additionally, Chagas disease can spread through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or consumption of contaminated food and beverages.

Chagas disease can cause great suffering and death. But it’s also preventable and curable.

On World Chagas Disease Day, @WHO is calling on countries to invest in early detection and care, so that people with Chagas disease can live healthy and productive lives. pic.twitter.com/ovxJi5Mraq

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 14, 2024

Chagas disease is often referred to as a "silent and silenced disease" because the majority of infected individuals exhibit either no symptoms or only mild ones.

What are symptoms and impact?

Despite its silent nature, Chagas disease affects millions worldwide, causing approximately 10,000 deaths annually. Symptoms can include flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, body aches, headaches, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and swelling or soreness near the bite site.

The symptoms of #ChagasDisease are most often non-existent or mild and unspecific. The first visible signs can include:
• skin lesion
• purplish swelling of an eyelid
• fever
• difficulty breathing
• abdominal or chest painhttps://t.co/mDpbhHY2uy pic.twitter.com/paaVd5RjXT

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 14, 2024

What is disease progression model?

Chagas disease progresses through two stages: acute and chronic. The acute stage may present mild symptoms or none at all, making diagnosis challenging. The chronic phase, which may occur years or even decades after infection, can lead to severe complications.

What is the chronic phase of Chagas disease?

In the chronic phase, the parasite can invade the patient's heart muscle, leading to abnormal heart rhythms and difficulties in eating or passing stool.

The WHO's observance of World Chagas Disease Day underscores the importance of global efforts to combat this neglected tropical disease and improve the lives of millions affected by it.