Kissing bug disease, also known as Chagas disease, is being spread through the United States. It’s been spreading quickly and is considered an epidemic here.
Chagas disease can be deadly and is believed to be an upcoming epidemic. 32 states have reported the bugs and North Carolina has reported local and foreign animal cases. Texas, California, Arizona, and many other southern states have reported human cases according to CBS News.
Senior Aakriti Singh is president of the Environmental Club.
“I feel like more prevention techniques would be efficient, like giving out pamphlets on how to avoid bugs. [Parks] could probably pass out or give an opportunity to purchase bug spray,” said Singh
The CDC explains that Chagas disease is spread through contact with the feces of bugs infected with triatomine bugs. Triatomine bug is the scientific name of the commonly known kissing bug. Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi which is a parasite found in triatomine bugs. The bugs also feed on blood, like ticks. Triatomines are mostly found in rural areas of Mexico along with central and southern America.
Sophia Bolotnova is the vice president of the Environmental Club and said, “At my house we have little scrunchy bands. They have mosquito repellent on it. I [also] just don’t go outside when it’s dusk or dawn. [I only go out] during the day time.”
These diseases have two phases: acute and chronic. Acute symptoms happen in the first week or month after getting infected. They include fever, feeling tired, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting.
Romaña’s sign is another symptom common to kissing bug disease where one’s eyelid swells up. This is what happens when one rubs their eyes while being contaminated with the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite or has the bug bite near the eye. The CDC explains that the chronic phase can last for years, but most people don’t have any symptoms. People can have serious health issues like heart and digestive problems, but that is only 20-30% of the people infected.
Bolotnova said, “I know how you can kill them indirectly or kill them by removing them, like breeding sites for them and environments. So leaving out standing water [is not good]… I know mosquitos are [attracted] and I feel like a lot of other bugs are too.”
One can prevent the disease by staying in well built places with sealed windows and doors. If one is visiting a place where Chagas disease is common, try to spray the place with pesticides, sleep under bed nets that keep bugs out, wear clothes that cover your skin and use bug spray. Prevention is important, so also keep trash piles away from houses, keep pets inside during the night, and avoid handling the bugs directly. Also wash your hands often when you are outside.
Singh said, “Just research wherever you’re going camping. Then have the proper clothing materials. Don’t be scared because if you’re scared to go outside, well, you’re on planet Earth. There’s gonna be bugs everywhere.”
People who are concerned about this can think of it like a tick bite where you must be careful of your outside surroundings. It’s best to always wear long pants and bug spray when going outside in wooded areas.
