Current affairs for UPSC in English
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) observed World Chagas Disease Day to raise awareness about this little-known disease that affects millions every year.
About Chagas Disease for UPSC
It is also called American trypanosomiasis and is a communicable parasitic disease.
It is caused by the parasite protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi.
The disease is named after physician Carlos Chagas who first detected it in a Brazillian child in 1909.
Symptoms Chagas Disease
Fever, headaches, rashes and inflammatory nodules, nausea or diarrhoea and muscle or abdominal pain.
A majority of the patients (70-80 per cent) show an asymptomatic clinical course throughout their lives, making early detection challenging.
Transmission of Chagas Disease
The parasites are mainly transmitted by a family of bugs called ‘triatomines’, also known as the ‘kissing bug’.
An individual can also contract this disease through congenital transmission (pregnant woman to their baby), blood transfusions, organ transplantation, consumption of uncooked food contaminated with the faecal matter of infected bugs or even accidental laboratory exposure.
The disease cannot propagate by casual contact with infected humans or animals.
Geographical spread of Chagas Disease
The disease remains most prevalent in Latin America. The most important vectors are found in the rural parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, and Central America.
Treatment Chagas Disease
There are currently no vaccines available for Chagas disease.
The disease can be treated with antiparasitic medicines Benznidazole and Nifurtimox.
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