Researchers have said Chagas disease, also called “kissing bug” disease, is now endemic in the United States — meaning cases are high enough to be considered a regularly occurring disease.
Scripps News
Researchers looking at Chagas disease, also known as “kissing bug” disease, say the infection should be considered endemic in the United States, but Michigan residents may not have to worry about Chagas unless they travel.
Since 2013, Texas A&M University’s Kissing Bug Community Science program has received reports of about 10,000 “kissing bugs” in 31 states. About 50% of a tested subset of the bugs was found positive for the Chagas parasite, Sarah Hamer, a Texas A&M Veterinary Integrative Biosciences professor, told USA TODAY.
Of the states where the bugs have been found over the past decade, humans were reported to have locally contracted Chagas disease in eight states, Hamer added. That means humans contracted the disease domestically rather than through international travel.
Chagas disease symptoms include swollen eyelids, fever, diarrhea and loss of appetite. In more serious cases, infected people may experience digestive problems such as like an enlarged esophagus or colon, an enlarged heart or even sudden death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are kissing bugs?
Triatomines or conenose bugs, also “kissing bugs,” are nocturnal insects that feed on blood, according to Texas A&M University’s Kissing Bug Community Science program. The insects can feed on people, domestic animals and wildlife. They feed multiple times over their lives and take several minutes to take in a full meal, the program’s website states. Unlike ticks, kissing bugs do not attach to a host.
They are native to North America, Central America and South America. Eleven types of kissing bugs can be found in the United States.
Adult kissing bugs grow to be about half an inch to an inch long. They hatch small eggs and can live up to two years, according to the program’s website.
Stink bugs vs. kissing bugs?
Stink bugs, an invasive species originating from eastern Asia and first introduced to the United States in the mid-1990s seek refuge in homes across the country as fall approaches.
When the bugs feel threatened, they emit a odor as defense against predators that lasts for hours.
What is Chagas disease?
Chagas disease, informally known as “kissing bug” disease, is a condition caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, according to the CDC.
The parasite is carried by triatomine bugs. If a triatomine bug bites and sucks the blood of an infected host, the bug then becomes a carrier for the parasite.
The triatomine passes the parasite through its droppings or feces. The insects tend to feed around the faces of humans while they sleep, which provides the “kissing bug” name.
If the bug’s droppings come into contact with a cut in the skin, eyes or mouth, it can lead to infection, the CDC said.
What are the symptoms of Chagas, or ‘kissing bug’ disease?
Chagas disease has two stages. The first stage, the acute phase, happens shortly after the infection, and the second stage, the chronic phase, can last a lifetime and cause numerous health issues.
The acute phase usually occurs within the first few weeks or months of infection. The CDC outlines common symptoms:
- Fever
- Feeling tired
- Body aches
- Headache
- Rash
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Another common symptom of Chagas disease during the acute phase is Romaña’s sign, when an eyelid swells, according to the CDC. It occurs when the parasite gets into the eyelid, usually when an infected host rubs the triatomine’s fecal matter into their eye by accident.
The chronic phase of the disease may last many years or even a lifetime, the CDC says. Serious symptoms include:
- Heart problems, such as an enlarged heart, heart failure, altered heart rate or rhythm, or sudden death.
- Digestive problems, such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, can lead to trouble eating or going to the bathroom.
According to the CDC, 20% to 30% of people infected with Chagas disease experience serious symptoms.
Are their any kissing bugs in Michigan?
No kissing bugs have been reported in Michigan, data from Texas A&M University shows, but it has been found in both Indiana and Ohio.
Can’t see the map in your browser? Visit infogram.com/1pwxe6zvv1ndm3avj121gw1kjpc92v55exy.
Who should get tested for Chagas disease?
People who have traveled to rural Mexico, Central America or South America should consider testing for Chagas disease because Trypanosoma cruzi is mainly found in those regions, according to the CDC. Additionally, if a family member has been diagnosed with Chagas disease, you should get tested.
Using a small sample of bloodwork, lab tests can determine presence of the Chagas parasite.
Chagas disease is treated by antiparasitic treatment, which kills the parasite that causes the disease, and symptomatic treatment, which helps manage symptoms, according to the CDC.
