USA — According to a statement from the American Heart Association, Chagas disease has been spreading from Central and South America to the U.S.<br /><br />Chagas disease is spread by a bug called the Triatomine bug, also known as the kissing bug, which carries a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi.<br /><br />According to the CDC, the kissing bug gets infected by biting an infected animal or person.<br /><br />After getting infected, the bug carries the parasite in its feces.<br /><br />The infected bug then bites humans around the eyes or mouth, breaking into the skin.<br /><br />Initial symptoms of Chagas disease include fever, body aches, headaches, rashes etc, however the American Heart Association released a warning saying around 60-70 percent of people do not develop any symptoms of the disease.<br /><br />According to the CDC, the infection may result in cardiac complications or intestinal complications for some.<br /><br />The disease can only be treated with anti-trypanosomal medication.<br /><br />It also does not spread from person to person or contact with animals.<br /><br />The American Heart Association released a statement to increase global awareness of the disease in hopes of detecting the disease at an early stage.
