Today is World Chagas Disease Day, a day established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the potential life-threatening nature of the disease, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Chagas disease is named after the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, who discovered the disease in 1909. It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors. It is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis.
It is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in Latin America, but due to migration and environmental changes it has become a global public health issue
WHO estimates a worldwide prevalence of 6–7 million individuals infected.
The disease has two phases, an acute phase followed by a chronic phase. In most cases, the acute phase is asymptomatic; this is why Chagas disease is also called the silent disease.
During the chronic phase, the parasites affect the heart and the digestive muscles and can cause among others #arrythmia and #heart failure.
Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if administered at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.
For this reason, access to care and access to medicines must be a priority especially for under-privileged, high-risk populations. Join us in our effort to raise awareness around the disease and end any stigmatization or social/professional isolation against infected people!
