In Latin America, up to 18 million people are infected with Chagas disease

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http://www.who.int/infectious-disease-report/pages/ch3text.html

 

 

 

In Latin America, up to 18 million people are infected with Chagas

disease, a deadly parasitic disease transmitted by blood-sucking

insects. The disease can also be transmitted through blood

transfusions and from mother to baby. The chronic stage of the disease

can last for years as parasites invade the internal organs - causing

irreversible damage to the heart and intestines. The disease is very

difficult to treat with existing drugs. In some parts of Latin America

it is the leading cause of cardiac death in young adults. One hundred

million people are at risk. In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, over 50% of the

blood in blood banks was infected with the parasites.