A harmful blood-sucking insect, known as the “assassin bug,” has been reported in Southern California.
On Monday, San Diego County confirmed its first locally acquired case of Chagas disease.
This bug, scientifically referred to as triatomine, can transmit a flu-like illness characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, abdominal pain, and swelling where it bites.
Additionally, Chagas disease can be passed to infants during pregnancy, and individuals infected may face severe cardiac and gastrointestinal issues later in life.
San Diego officials emphasize that this disease is predominantly found in Latin America.
Dr. Sayone Tihariropavan, the county’s public health officer, mentioned that “Recognizing a local case of Chagas serves as a reminder that this illness extends beyond Latin America.”
“Our focus is to equip our residents and healthcare providers with the necessary knowledge to stay safe.”
Assassin bugs, which are small black and brown insects, feed on the blood of humans, pets, and wild animals, as noted by Texas A&M’s Kissing Bugs Program.
These bugs are notorious for biting human faces, often targeting areas around the mouth and eyes.
They are present in 21 countries, including Mexico and parts of Central and South America, where they are endemic—meaning they are consistently found there.
Chagas disease stems from a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which infects approximately 55% of assassin bugs in the U.S.
People typically contract the disease through the bug’s feces, which can be found near a bite. It can also spread via organ transplants, blood transfusions, or from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy.
Globally, over 7 million people are believed to carry this parasite, leading to more than 10,000 deaths annually.
In the U.S., the American Heart Association estimates around 300,000 people live with Chagas disease, with the majority of cases concentrated in the South, though the bugs are gradually moving northward.
Officials in San Diego County advise anyone exhibiting symptoms to reach out to their healthcare provider.
Chagas disease progresses in two phases. The initial phase, known as the acute stage, occurs weeks to months post-infection. Many individuals remain asymptomatic, but according to the CDC, some may experience symptoms like fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and eyelid swelling.
The chronic phase, which can extend over years or even a lifetime, can also be asymptomatic for many, yet about a third may develop serious heart conditions and roughly one in ten could face digestive problems, such as an enlarged esophagus or colon.
Over time, damage to the nervous system and muscles, particularly in the heart and intestines, may result in severe complications, including irregular heartbeats, heart failure, and even sudden death.
While treatment is effective during the acute stage, with medications like benznidazole and nifurtimox, it becomes more complicated once the disease transitions to chronic status. Treatment thereafter focuses on managing symptoms, which may involve medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes, particularly for heart and gastrointestinal issues.
Unfortunately, since early signs are often overlooked, many people remain blissfully unaware of their infection, complicating timely treatment.
“This disease is clearly underdiagnosed,” cardiologist Salvador Hernandez noted. “If we screened for it and identified it early, many patients could be cured. The challenge is that we don’t, leading to increased mortality or extremely costly treatments like organ transplants.”
