Two chronic cases of a life-threatening tropical disease transmitted by a parasite were discovered in Hidalgo County, according to authorities.
Researchers are now exploring for ways to promote awareness of Chagas disease, which is spread by the kissing bug.
The little, dark bug lives in rural homes and fields.
Health authorities, including several from Texas A&M and the Texas Department of State Health Services, contributed to a report on Chagas disease published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the CDC, the disease spreads when a bug bites and sucks blood from animals or humans, then defecates on the wound, causing an infection when the parasite enters the body.
Chronic infection can cause major cardiac and intestinal difficulties, as well as abrupt death.
The research advises the federal government to categorize Chagas as an endemic disease in order to draw more attention to the disease.
According to Dr. Ivan Garcia of DHR Health, people are unaware they have been bitten.
“People get bitten while sleeping. “It can enter the bloodstream and cause a problem,” Garcia explained.
If the United States acknowledges Chagas as an endemic disease, researchers believe it will open up important resources such as improved monitoring, preventive, and testing activities, as well as research funding.
According to the CDC analysis, many doctors fail to look for Chagas in patients. However, Dr. Garcia stated that anyone could be at risk.
“If that bug is in the house, it can bite everybody — you don’t feel it,” Garcia told me.
According to the Hidalgo County Health Department, the chronic instances of Chagas discovered in the area suggest that the patients caught the disease at some time in their life. Officials stated there was no evidence they contracted it locally.
