14/04/2025
Today is World Chagas Disease Day.
๐ Chagas disease, predominantly affecting impoverished populations in Latin America, is increasingly spreading across continents.
โ ๏ธ There are currently 7 million infections globally, and an estimated 10,000 people die from Chagas disease every year.
๐ฌ Early detection is key as Chagas disease is curable when treatment is provided soon after infection.
๐ฉ In the Region of the Americas, T. cruzi is mainly transmitted to humans through the infected faeces of the blood-sucking triatomine bug (the โkissing bugโ), which is the disease vector.
Chagas disease has two phases:
1๏ธโฃ An acute phase
2๏ธโฃ A chronic phase
Most acute phases are asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms.
During the chronic phase patients may also be symptom-free but some may progress to clinical forms of the disease:
๐ซ Cardiac symptoms
๐ Digestive symptoms
๐ง Neurological symptoms
These symptoms can be life threatening if left undiagnosed and untreated.
You can protect yourself from Chagas disease by:
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Insecticide spraying
โ
Home improvements
โ
Good hygiene practices
โ
Using bednets
Learn more about Chagas disease here through UNICEF โก๏ธ https://bit.ly/42qFfCQ