WHO | Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)

An estimated 10 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (the parasite that causes Chagas disease) worldwide, mostly in Latin America. Chagas disease was once entirely confined to the Region of the Americas – principally Latin America – but it has now spread to other continents. Chagas disease is curable if treatment is initiated soon after infection. Up to 30% of chronically infected people develop cardiac alterations and up to 10% develop digestive, neurological or mixed alterations, for which specific treatment may become necessary. Vector control is the most useful method to prevent Chagas disease in Latin America. Blood screening is vital to prevent infection through transfusion and organ transplantation.