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UTEP Study Reveals Rising Chagas Disease Risk from Kissing Bugs in El Paso

KVIA••Emma Hoggard
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Researchers at UTEP have discovered alarmingly high levels of infection in kissing bugs, which are known vectors for Chagas disease, in the El Paso area. Approximately 88.5% of the 26 bugs collected tested positive for the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, marking a significant increase of over 20% since 2021. This finding raises concerns about the potential for local transmission of Chagas disease, which affects around 6 million people globally and can lead to severe health complications over time. Residents are advised to take preventive measures to reduce exposure to these insects.

Key Details: • 88.5% of kissing bugs tested positive for T. cruzi. • Infection rate increased by over 20% since 2021. • Kissing bugs were collected from El Paso County and southern New Mexico. • Homeowners should seal homes, keep pets indoors, and install insect screens.

border utep public-health chagas-disease kissing-bugs

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