A potentially fatal disease known as the “kissing bug” disease, or Chagas disease, which has affected more than seven million people worldwide – mostly in Latin America – may now be endemic in the United States, according to new research published in the Journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The study, published in September 2025, said that while Chagas disease — caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, mostly transmitted through “kissing bugs” or triatomine bugs — is generally considered endemic in 21 countries in the Americas, excluding the United States, increasing evidence of the parasite in the United States suggests that it may no longer be.
If a disease is endemic to a region, it means that it is constantly present in the population of that region.
Chagas disease has both acute and chronic phases, the latter of which is potentially fatal. It causes about 10,000 deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
But what exactly is Chagas disease? How is it spread? Can it be cured? Here’s everything you need to know.
The spread of Chagas disease
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is usually spread through vector-borne, oral, and congenital routes.
A person in endemic areas usually contracts Chagas disease when Trypanosoma cruzi , a parasite transmitted through the urine or feces of a triatomine bug, is bitten by these insects, commonly known as “kissing bugs” or “vampire bugs,” who bite people on the face and feed on their blood. They are usually found in small spaces, such as cracks in walls or roofs of houses, chicken coops, warehouses, and similar structures, and are mostly active at night. After biting an exposed area, often the face, they defecate or urinate near the wound, allowing the parasite to enter the body.
Trypanosoma cruzi can also be spread by other means: by consuming food or drink contaminated with the parasite (oral) or from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth (congenital). Although rare, it can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants. The disease can also infect animals, especially captive and companion animals.
The disease was called Chagas disease because it was first diagnosed on April 14, 1909, by Brazilian physician and researcher Carlos Chagas.
What are the symptoms?
During the acute phase, which lasts about a few months after a person is infected, symptoms are mild or absent. They may include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, swollen eyelids, and abdominal or chest pain.
The parasite primarily affects the heart and digestive muscles in the chronic phase, so early detection and treatment are crucial. About 10 to 30 years after infection, individuals may develop heart or digestive problems, as well as neurological complications. Over time, damage to the nervous system and muscles of the heart and digestive tract can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, progressive heart failure, and even sudden death, according to the WHO.
Is there a cure?
Drugs such as benznidazole and Nifurtimox are completely effective in the early stages of the disease; however, their effectiveness decreases as the disease progresses. There is also no vaccine against Chagas disease. Therefore, delaying the progression of the disease by treating it in time is imperative.
An infection like this cannot be completely eradicated, says the WHO, due to the persistent presence of both the triatomine bugs and the parasite in endemic areas. However, controlling the spread of the disease, ensuring early detection and providing lifelong surveillance can help prevent deaths. Reducing human contact with the bugs is also important, as is screening blood before transfusions and organ transplants.
Researchers say classifying Chagas disease as endemic in the U.S. can improve surveillance and facilitate an appropriate public health response.
Published – September 13, 2025 06:58 PM IST
