Just a few years ago, COVID-19 struck across the country and changed everyone’s lives. Now, a quieter virus is making its way to Los Angeles: Chagas disease. Also referred to as “the kissing bug disease”, California and 29 other states across the U.S. are enduring this new virus.
Health officials estimate that as many as 45,000 people in Los Angeles Country may already be infected, and most are unaware of it. Although Chagas doesn’t spread person-to-person like COVID, its presence has experts worried due to its subtle nature and serious health threats it can cause.
“Chagas disease is a parasitic infection carried by the Reduviid bug, which is found primarily in South and Central America in rural areas with thatched roof housing,” said USC Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine Saahir Khan. “It can be a chronic infection that can cause damage to the heart and intestines many years after initial infection.”
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma Cruzi, carried by insects known as “kissing bugs,” since they often bite people near the mouth or eyes while they sleep. The danger doesn’t come from the bite itself, but a parasite carried in the bug’s droppings. If this parasite enters the human body, it can lead to lifelong health issues or even death.
In the early stages, symptoms can look like a bad flu with fever, fatigue, headaches, or bodyaches. Most don’t notice it at first and dismiss it thinking it’s a normal cold, but years later the disease can cause issues such as serious heart disease, digestive problems, or even death. Doctors say early diagnosis and treatment makes a huge difference in keeping people safe.
“The immigrant community from Central and South America is most vulnerable due to living in areas where this disease is endemic,” said Khan.
Between 2019 and 2023, there were around 180 confirmed cases in L.A. County, but researchers believe the real number is much higher due to how unsuspecting the seriousness of the virus really is. Because kissing bugs come from L.A. county, California has had the most cases in the U.S.. L.A. county already requires doctors to report cases of Chagas, but the majority go unreported because most people infected don’t even know they have it.
“Los Angeles has a higher proportion of people who have lived in areas of South and Central America where Chagas disease is more endemic,” said Khan. “Also, the habitable areas for the Reduviid bug are spreading further north due to climate change.”
COVID and Chagas are very different viruses, but are similar in how easily both can go unnoticed for long periods of time, and how serious their long-term effects can be. Experts say Chagas won’t cause another pandemic, but they warn that without greater awareness and early testing, it could become a major health issue to many in the future.
“These two infections are not similar, although both can initially present with fever,” said Khan
The main difference between COVID and Chagas is that Chagas doesn’t spread through the air, but through kissing bugs, blood transfusions, organ transplants, and sometimes passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Chagas often hides in the body for years before causing serious health problems, and because it is even less known that COVID was in its early days, many that may be infected might have never even heard of it.
“Chagas disease is less likely to cause a pandemic, as it is not transmitted person to person, other than through blood transfusions and organ donation in rare cases,” said Khan.
Although Chagas disease won’t lead to another pandemic, key lessons from the pandemic still apply. People, especially in Los Angeles, should act early, raise awareness, and not ignore warning signs. Further understanding and earlier identifying Chagas now could prevent bigger problems later.
“I think the best thing to do is spread awareness about this disease since it’s still pretty unknown and new, to seek professional medical help if you have these types of symptoms, and of course to stay at home if you have a fever until you feel better,” said Mira Costa health services assistant Jennfier Beck.
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