Emiliana Rodriguez, a 42-year-old woman living in Barcelona, knows firsthand the fear that comes with Chagas disease. As a young girl in Bolivia, she witnessed a soccer player suddenly collapse and die during a match, leaving her deeply frightened of the dark and the invisible danger lurking in the night. Little did she know that she would later discover that danger was called Chagas disease.
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection spread by bugs that are most active at night. It infects nearly 8 million people each year and causes around 12,000 deaths worldwide. Rodriguez herself was diagnosed with Chagas disease, reigniting her childhood fears and causing her to worry every night that she might not wake up.
Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas from Veracruz, Mexico also knows the devastating effects of Chagas disease. She learned about the disease after her 18-year-old son was diagnosed. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take, she turned to the internet for answers. She soon discovered the deadly nature of the disease and felt fearful for her son’s life. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of Chagas disease, which is named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, the scientist who first identified it in 1909.
Kissing bugs, the carriers of Chagas disease, thrive in rural and suburban homes. These nocturnal insects bite people and can transmit the infection through their feces if they come into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 6 to 7 million people worldwide are infected with Chagas, although many are unaware of their condition. In Latin America, Chagas kills more people than any other parasitic disease, including malaria. In the United States, nearly 300,000 people are infected, although the disease is not widespread.
The symptoms of Chagas disease often do not emerge until years after infection, with approximately 30% of patients developing serious heart or digestive complications. Shockingly, only 10% of Chagas cases are currently detected worldwide, making prevention and treatment efforts challenging. The lack of reliable information about the disease leaves many individuals fearing for their lives.
The situation is further complicated by the frequency of misdiagnoses. The Mexican government claims that Chagas is under control, but Hernández disagrees. The World Health Organization has classified Chagas as a neglected tropical disease due to its silent nature and the absence of early symptoms.
In the UK, the Chagas Hub is dedicated to improving testing and reducing the risk of transmission, especially from mother to child. However, Professor Moore from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London remains skeptical about significant progress by 2030, describing the pace of improvement as “glacial.” Currently, the two drugs used to treat Chagas, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are often harsh and less effective in adults.
Emiliana Rodriguez experienced severe side effects from her treatment, such as dizziness and nausea, but remains committed to her journey towards better health. However, Professor Moore explains that pharmaceutical companies have little motivation to develop better treatments for Chagas, further compounding the challenges of tackling this neglected disease.
To prevent infestations of kissing bugs, the CDC recommends sealing homes, using window screens, and maintaining clean living spaces. If you encounter a kissing bug, it’s important to avoid crushing it. Instead, capture it in a jar with alcohol, freeze it, and take it to a professional for identification.
Chagas disease remains a significant global health issue, affecting millions of people around the world. By raising awareness, improving testing, and developing more effective treatments, we can join the fight against this silent, nighttime danger.
