Bugs emerge at night and assault victims, killing them silently or infecting them for life
In the shadows of night, Emiliana Rodríguez’s childhood memories are tainted by the haunting spectacle of a friend dropping dead during a nighttime game of soccer, a victim of the silent killer known as Chagas. Bolivian-born, she grew to fear the night, where this unseen “monster” thrived, claiming up to 8 million lives annually, including that of her friend. As Rodríguez, now 42 and residing in Barcelona, vividly recalls those fears, she unveils the chilling reality of a disease that lurks in the darkness, silently infecting lives.
Chagas, often labeled a “silent and silenced disease,” spreads through nocturnal bugs, afflicting millions globally. Rodríguez’s own encounter with this relentless foe occurred eight years ago, pregnant with her first child, as she discovered her status as a carrier. Paralyzed by shock, memories of sudden deaths flooded her mind. Her fear manifested at night, robbing her of sleep and instilling an agonizing uncertainty about her unborn child’s fate. Yet, through treatment, she shielded her baby from the parasite’s grasp.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas stumbled into the realm of Chagas when her 18-year-old daughter tested positive. Unaware of the disease until then, Hernández delved into internet research, discovering the ominous tag of a “silent killer.” Many, like her, remain oblivious to this vectorborne illness caused by blood-sucking triatomine bugs, also known as kissing or vampire bugs. Chagas silently takes root in impoverished, rural housing, actively striking during the night when people sleep.
Chagas, named after the Brazilian physician Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, has long haunted Latin America, North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. ( 📺 Compensate the City’s Managerial Staff According to Their Deserved Earnings ) Kissing bugs, its carriers, inject the T. cruzi infection through bites and feces, leaving victims vulnerable during sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in Mexico, Central America, and South America, 6 to 7 million people, largely unaware of their infection, grapple with this silent menace, claiming 12,000 lives yearly—more than any other parasite disease in Latin America, including malaria. ( 📰 Surprising: This 24 Years Old Girl Made Her Dreams Come True )
Though these bugs have ventured into the U.S., infecting nearly 300,000 people, it is not considered endemic. The CDC warns of potential complications decades later, affecting 20 to 30% with cardiac or gastrointestinal issues, while the global case detection rate stands at a mere 10%, complicating treatment and prevention.
In Mexico, Hernández struggled to find information and support, revealing a stark lack of awareness among medical professionals. (who.int) Chagas, listed as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), remains obscured, partly due to its asymptomatic early phase. Colin Forsyth of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative notes the disease’s neglect stems from a confluence of biological and social issues, leaving affected individuals powerless to influence healthcare policy.
As Chagas transcends continents, its visibility increases. It now stands recognized as transmissible through blood and organ transplants, and from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth. However, progress in eliminating Chagas remains sluggish, with the WHO’s 2030 disease elimination target seeming increasingly elusive.
Treatment involves medications like benznidazole and nifurtimox, both over 50 years old, deemed toxic and ineffective by many. Severe side effects, including hives, dizziness, and nausea, accompany the cure, making the quest for more effective medications crucial. However, without financial appeal to pharmaceutical companies, progress remains hindered. (theguardian.com)
Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas, now president of the International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease (FINDECHAGAS), actively amplifies the voice of those silenced by Chagas. In Spain, Emiliana Rodríguez fights against the “monster” through a campaign by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, aiming to shatter the silence surrounding Chagas.
As these voices grow louder, the WHO has designated April 14 as World Chagas Disease Day, commemorating the day in 1909 when Carlos Chagas discovered the first human case. With global targets for 2030 set to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases, including Chagas, there’s a glimmer of hope. Yet, the battle against this silent disease continues, urging awareness, testing, and treatment. ( 📄 Unveiling the Charms: Making the Subway Your Ideal New York City Date Destination )
In a world where Chagas hides in the walls of homes, reminiscent of childhood horror stories, the call to action is clear. Seal cracks, remove hiding spots, use screens, and protect pets to prevent infestations. The fear these bugs evoke parallels those childhood tales, but the reality is far more insidious. It’s a plea to bring Chagas out of the shadows and into the light of awareness. ( 📄 Bodybuilder, Who Endured a Heart Attack in 2021, Reveals the Lethal Prison Diet Consumed Five Times Daily ) Share this story, raise your voice, and let’s collectively combat this silent disease that claims lives in the dark corners of the night. (en.newsner.com)
