Illness From 'Kissing Bug' Now Widespread in U.S.

[rangerrebew]

Illness From 'Kissing Bug' Now Widespread in U.S.
Without early treatment, Chagas disease can cause heart failure
 
By Robert Preidt
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
 

TUESDAY, April 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- It's spread by an insect that's often called the "kissing bug." And now, the parasitic infection know as Chagas disease is prevalent in the United States, new research shows.

Investigators tested nearly 5,000 Latin American-born residents of Los Angeles County in California. They found that 1.3 percent had Chagas disease, which can cause life-threatening heart damage if not treated early.

"Less than 1 percent with the infection are receiving treatment for Chagas disease," said study author Sheba Meymandi.

https://medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_164700.html

[rangerrebew]

Does "widespread" suggest anywhere you find illegal immigrants?

[Smokin Joe]

Does "widespread" suggest anywhere you find illegal immigrants?

From the article:

"Although this study concentrated on Latin American-born residents of Los Angeles, Chagas disease has also been in the U.S. for centuries," said Colin Forsyth, an epidemiologist from the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and Doctors Without Borders.

The study was supported by the two groups.

"The bugs that transmit Chagas disease live in 27 states -- the whole southern half of the country, and we know they sometimes infect people, but we need further research to determine how often this takes place," Forsyth said.