An appraisal of the status of Chagas disease in the United States

by Rodrigo Zeledon, Charles B. Beard, J.C. Pinto Dias, David A Leiby, Patricia Dorn

This title critically reviews old and new literature, help to create greater awareness of the disease in the US and helps in the evaluation of certain epidemiological and public health issues.

During the first half of the 20th century, Chagas disease was assumed to be absent from the U.S. and considered an exotic disease, until the first two indigenous cases were discovered, almost simultaneously, in Texas, 1955. Since that time four indigenous cases have been documented in several places in the country. Although the disease is still considered uncommon in the US, this disease is not longer an exclusive Latin American illness.

Physicians in the US are often unaware of the characteristics of the diseases, and are likely overlooking locally acquired cases. The influx of an estimated 300,000 Latin American immigrants with the Chagas parasite means that there is an urgent need for physicians and public health officials to become aware.

• Helps to create greater awareness of Chagas disease in the USA
• Helps to evaluate epidemiological and public health issues
• Facilitates accurate and necessary future public health interventions

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