What is Chagas disease?
• Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiais, can cause serious heart and stomach illnesses.
• Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
• It is transmitted to animals and humans by triatomine bugs also known as “kissing bugs,” “reduviid bugs”, “assassin bugs,” “benchuca,” “vinchuca,” “chinche,” or “barbeiro.
• Kissing bugs are blood sucking insects.