‘For now the evidence is stronger that kissing bugs are a bigger Chagas threat in the U.S. Surveys of wild U.S. kissing bugs have begun to show that contrary to conventional wisdom, the insects can and do commonly feed on humans. One Texas study found that 73 percent of 40 kissing bugs collected near homes in central and southern Texas carried Chagas, and half of those had fed on humans. A study of kissing bugs from a wildlife park in Arizona found that nearly all of the bugs had fed on humans, and about a quarter harbored the parasite. Because no people live permanently at the park, the authors concluded that free-roaming U.S. kissing bugs could feed like mosquitoes on active people outside of homes.’
This is a rare major discussion of Chagas outside of science / medical publications. It is a very serious problem, which should not be kept silent because the disease must be attacked early before it damages the heart.
‘Chagas Disease: How A Silent Tropical Parasite Prospers In The US
An estimated 300,000 people in the United States have Chagas disease. The disease is endemic in parts of Latin America, where it is typically spread through a kissing bug, which lives in the walls and cracks of mud homes and emerges at night to bite inhabitants on their faces…
Physicians do not regularly screen for Chagas, and because it causes heart disease, which is relatively common from other causes, people can die without ever being diagnosed. Treatment is available solely on an experimental basis and effective only if the disease is caught early.’
@kausmickey wonderful!
But illegal immigrants have contributed to parks?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bed-bugs-kissing-bugs-linked-to-deadly-chagas-disease-in-u-s/
‘For now the evidence is stronger that kissing bugs are a bigger Chagas threat in the U.S. Surveys of wild U.S. kissing bugs have begun to show that contrary to conventional wisdom, the insects can and do commonly feed on humans. One Texas study found that 73 percent of 40 kissing bugs collected near homes in central and southern Texas carried Chagas, and half of those had fed on humans. A study of kissing bugs from a wildlife park in Arizona found that nearly all of the bugs had fed on humans, and about a quarter harbored the parasite. Because no people live permanently at the park, the authors concluded that free-roaming U.S. kissing bugs could feed like mosquitoes on active people outside of homes.’
This is a rare major discussion of Chagas outside of science / medical publications. It is a very serious problem, which should not be kept silent because the disease must be attacked early before it damages the heart.
http://www.ibtimes.com/chagas-disease-how-silent-tropical-parasite-prospers-us-1938152
‘Chagas Disease: How A Silent Tropical Parasite Prospers In The US
An estimated 300,000 people in the United States have Chagas disease. The disease is endemic in parts of Latin America, where it is typically spread through a kissing bug, which lives in the walls and cracks of mud homes and emerges at night to bite inhabitants on their faces…
Physicians do not regularly screen for Chagas, and because it causes heart disease, which is relatively common from other causes, people can die without ever being diagnosed. Treatment is available solely on an experimental basis and effective only if the disease is caught early.’
@kausmickey @Glaivester PC Disease makes anthrax look like a moderate head cold.
@kausmickey @BeanfromPa More taxpayer $ going down drain for Obama illegal immigrant giveaway that threatens our safety & freedom?