Chagas' Disease

This infection is transmitted by the Triatoma insect, which typically bites its victims on the face at night. The Trypanosoma cruzi parasite enters the bloodstream and affects organ tissues, most commonly the heart.

Found in forest ecosystems and poorly built homes, including huts and cabins, the Triatoma insect is commonly known as 'vinchuca' in Spanish or 'barbeiro' in Portuguese. Chagas' Disease affects between 16-18 million people and approximately 10% of persons infected with the disease experience an acute phase. However, for most people it is a silent infection showing up many years later often mimicking chronic heart conditions, or as gastro-intestinal complications.

The disease largely spreads with the rise of migration to urban and suburban populations and increasing deforestation. Many countries in Central and South America now have active health education and eradication programs.

For more information about the best prevention methods as well as transmission patterns and geographical distribution of Chagas' Disease, see IAMAT's When Hiking Through Latin America, Be Alert to Chagas' Disease.

Risk of Chagas' Disease is present in the following countries:



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