San Diego County adds disease caused by ‘kissing bug’ to local reportable list
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego County public health officials have added a disease to the local reportable diseases list, the county announced Friday.
The county joins other health agencies in California making the Chagas disease reportable. This announcement comes before World Chagas Day, which is observed on April 14 to raise awareness about the disease.
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Experts say the disease is most commonly found in rural areas of Latin America and caused by an insect called a triatomine, or ‘kissing bug,’ carrying a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi.
Someone can become infected if parasites in the bug feces enter the body through a wound, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The person may also spread it by touching an infected area on their skin and subsequently their eyes or mouth.
With an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 infected people, California has the most cases of Chagas disease in the U.S.
The county says by making Chagas reportable, health officials can get a more accurate account of how many cases there are locally in San Diego.
Symptoms of Chagas disease include a fever, headache, cough, abdominal pain or swelling. However, if left untreated, it can also lead to heart failure or gastrointestinal problems. Rarely, young children could die from severe inflammation and infection of the heart or brain.
No drugs or vaccines for preventing the Chagas disease are currently available. You are encouraged to get checked by a healthcare provider if you or someone you know has symptoms that could be related to Chagas disease.
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