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Chagas
disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma
cruzi, which is transmitted to animals and
people by insect vectors that are found only in the
Americas (mainly, in rural areas of Latin America
where poverty is widespread). The insect vectors are
called triatomine bugs (also called kissing bugs or
conenose bugs). Chagas disease is also referred to
as American trypanosomiasis.
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Triatoma sanguisuga which is found from
Pennsylvania to Florida and across the
south to California.
Photo by Jim Gathany. |
Trypanosoma cruzi parasites in hindgut
of a field-collected triatomine bugs.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention |
Disease Web Links:
New!! CDC webpage on Chagas Disease:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/chagasdisease/default.htm
New!! CDC MMWR article on screening of blood supply for Chagas
Disease:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5607a2.htm
New!!
Executive Order
[PDF 55K]
making Chagas Disease reportable
in Arizona
Disease
Transmission Cycle, Courtesy of CDC:
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