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Texas Border Bugs Carry Rising Chagas Threat
9 Jan
Summary
- Kissing bugs collected near Texas border show high Chagas parasite rates.
- Infection rates in bugs surged from 63% to nearly 85% in seven years.
- Bugs found in residential areas, increasing human and pet exposure risk.
Parasite-laden kissing bugs, carriers of Chagas disease, are appearing in escalating numbers at the Texas border, raising public health concerns. Recent research in El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, revealed that nearly 85% of collected kissing bugs tested positive for the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. This represents a significant increase from a similar study seven years prior, which found a 63% infection rate.
The insects are no longer confined to wild areas; they have been found in residential spaces, including under patio furniture and firewood, increasing the risk of transmission to humans and pets. Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, can be asymptomatic for long periods but may lead to severe, irreversible heart and digestive system damage in 30-40% of infected individuals.
While Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America, its detection in the US is increasing due to globalization and migration. The southwestern US, particularly Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, is identified as a primary vulnerability zone due to the proximity of diverse insect species in Mexico. Early detection and treatment are crucial, though awareness and testing remain limited.
