Recently, the US health officials has raise concerns on increasing triatomine insects, known as Kissing Bugs. These insects spread quickly to 32 states of US and cause Chagas disease in people. It led serious heart problems and strokes.
As per The New York Post, scientists have called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to recognize Chagas disease as endemic in the US, following confirmation of at least eight cases of local transmission.
What are ‘kissing bugs’?
Triatomines are small, black-and-brown insects that suck blood from humans, pets, and wild animals. They get their nickname because they often bite people on the face, especially near the lips and eyes, typically while people are asleep.
These insects are already endemic in 21 countries, including Mexico, Central America, and South America. In the US, 11 species have been identified, with Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona reporting the highest number of sightings and species variety, according to Texas A&M’s Kissing Bugs program.
About Chagas disease
Kissing bugs carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. Transmission usually happens when the insects defecate near a bite, allowing the parasite to enter the body through rubbing or scratching of the skin.
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