Kissing Bugs and Chagas Disease: Understanding the Hidden Threat in the United States

Introduction

Interactions between humans, wildlife, and the environment are complex and can sometimes lead to the transmission of infectious diseases. One such disease of growing concern in the United States is Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted primarily by blood-sucking insects known as kissing bugs. Recent studies estimate that approximately 280,000 people in the U.S. are infected with this parasite, though many may be unaware due to the disease’s often silent progression. Understanding the eco-epidemiology — the relationship between ecological factors and disease dynamics — of Chagas disease and its vector is essential to protecting human and animal health.

The Vector: Understanding Kissing Bugs