{"id":752,"date":"2020-01-08T22:43:19","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T22:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.uthscsa.edu\/echo\/?page_id=752"},"modified":"2025-10-02T11:28:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:28:14","slug":"chagas-disease","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.uthscsa.edu\/echo\/echo-programs\/chagas-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Chagas Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What is Chagas disease?<\/h2>\n
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Photo: Gabriel L. Hamer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi<\/em>, which is transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors called triatomines or kissing bugs. It is found only in the Americas and is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis. It is estimated that as many as 8 million people living in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be fatal. Chagas disease and the vector that transmits the disease is present in the Southern United States. It is estimated that more than 300,000 people in the United States have Chagas disease and may not know they are infected.<\/p>\n

How is Chagas disease transmitted?<\/h2>\n

People can become infected in several ways, however the most common way is from the insect vector called triatomine bugs, commonly referred to as kissing bugs. These blood-sucking bugs get infected with T. cruzi<\/em> by biting an infected animal or person. Once infected, the bugs pass the parasites in their feces and will often defecate while taking a blood meal. The person can become infected if T. cruz<\/em>i parasites in the bug feces enter the body through mucous membranes or breaks in the skin. The unsuspecting, sleeping person may accidentally scratch or rub the feces into the bite wound, eyes, or mouth.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text el_class=”panel single-border colorized-border border-colorized-theme-accent single-border-top”]<\/p>\n

Chagas ECHO Hub Team<\/h3>\n

The Chagas ECHO is supported by a interdisciplinary collaboration of experts from across the United States.<\/p>\n

Meet the team<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

People also can become infected through:<\/h2>\n