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KEY FACTS: CHAGAS DISEASE

Chagas Disease

  • About 7 million to 8 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (the parasite that causes Chagas disease) worldwide, mostly in Latin America.

  • Chagas disease was once entirely confined to the Region of the Americas – principally Latin America – but it has now spread to other continents.

  • Chagas disease is curable if treatment is initiated soon after infection.

  • Up to 30% of chronically infected people develop cardiac alterations and up to 10% develop digestive, neurological or mixed alterations, for which specific treatment may become necessary.

  • Vector control is the most useful method to prevent Chagas disease in Latin America.

  • Blood screening is vital to prevent infection through transfusion and organ transplantation.

(http://www.who.int)

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