Essential information about ‘kissing bug’ disease in Texas

HOUSTON — A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is highlighting that the serious Chagas disease is on the rise in the United States.

This disease is transmitted by blood-sucking insects known as triatomines, commonly referred to as the “kissing bug” due to their tendency to bite individuals around the lips and eyes while they sleep.

The CDC estimates that roughly 8 million people globally, including about 280,000 in the U.S., have Chagas disease.

A lot of people might not even know they have it since the symptoms can resemble those of other common illnesses.

If left untreated, Chagas can lead to severe health issues and may even be fatal.

Texas is among the eight states that have reported cases of Chagas disease in humans.

Both UTHealth and Texas A&M engaged in a CDC study of the disease, which is already a significant concern in 21 countries across Central and South America.

Sarah Hamer, a veterinary epidemiologist at Texas A&M, emphasizes that we need to view Chagas disease as established in the U.S. as well.

“People often think this is just a disease found in Latin America, but that simply isn’t true. It doesn’t reflect the local transmission happening here in the U.S. with both humans and animals,” Hamer stated.

Alongside Texas, states like Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee have also reported human cases of Chagas.

Interestingly, doctors in most areas aren’t mandated to monitor or report the disease.

Chagas disease generally spreads via contact with the feces of kissing bugs. When these bugs bite and draw blood from infected animals or humans, they become carriers of the parasite. They then excrete feces that contains the parasite.

If the feces enters the body through a skin break, or around the eyes or mouth, it can trigger an infection.

The CDC mentions that individuals might unknowingly rub the feces into cuts, their eyes, or mouth.

It’s noteworthy that roughly half of kissing bugs are infected with Chagas, according to Texas A&M.

These bloodsucking insects are found naturally in the southern regions of the country and have been spotted in 32 states and Washington D.C., as highlighted in the CDC report.

The states include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and D.C.

These bugs can be found indoors, hiding in gaps and holes in poorly constructed houses, or in various outdoor environments such as:

• Beneath porches
• Between rocks
• Under concrete
• In wood, brush piles, or under bark
• In rodent nests or animal burrows
• In outdoor dog houses or kennels
• In chicken coops or houses

Chagas disease occurs in two phases: the acute and the chronic phase.

The acute phase happens within a few weeks to months after infection, while the chronic phase can last for years or even a lifetime.

During the acute phase, symptoms tend to be mild and may consist of:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Aches
• Headache
• Rash
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Swelling of the eyelid, referred to as Romaña’s sign

Most individuals don’t exhibit symptoms during the chronic phase; however, the CDC indicates that 20-30% of infected people may later develop serious health complications, which include:

• Heart complications, such as an enlarged heart, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or sudden death.
• Digestive issues, like an enlarged esophagus or colon, causing problems with eating or bowel movements.

If you’re noticing any symptoms, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider.

You can treat Chagas disease with antiparasitic medications, the Mayo Clinic reports. Chronic symptoms will need to be managed with other therapies.

However, there’s no known cure for Chagas disease.

Researchers at Texas A&M have identified Chagas disease in dogs across numerous Texas counties.

Common signs of infection in dogs include heart problems, gastrointestinal issues, and in some cases, sudden death.

Many infected dogs show no symptoms, but factors like their stress levels, activity, and age can influence their health status.

Researchers are looking into new treatments for canine Chagas disease.

There are currently no vaccines available to prevent Chagas disease in either humans or dogs.

Testing for dogs is accessible through the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

There are seven known species of kissing bugs in Texas.

• Adult kissing bugs typically resemble the size of a U.S. quarter.
• Most species have a distinct orange or red band along their bodies.
• Their legs are long and thin, differing from similar insects which typically have thicker legs.
• They possess prominent mouthparts resembling a large black needle on their head, which appears straight when tucked under their bodies.
• Kissing bugs are slightly flattened and sporting long, slender heads.
• Immature kissing bugs (nymphs) are smaller than adults, with sizes ranging from a poppy seed to nearly an inch long, having a teardrop shape with a pointed head.