World Chagas Disease Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Chagas Disease

The annual celebration of World Chagas Disease Day on April 14 draws attention to the Chagas disease, a parasitic condition that affects over six million individuals worldwide. Each year, approximately 300 infants are born with Chagas disease. Unfortunately, these infants continue to be undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness. Without treatment, the disease can lead to death, heart attack, or stroke. Therefore, it is essential to educate everyone about the disease so that the government, community members, and healthcare professionals can take the necessary steps to prevent its spread.

The background of World Chagas Disease Day

A physician named Carlos Chagas discovered the Chagas disease in a two-year-old child named Berenice in 1909. From that point on, the voyage to discover the disease’s symptoms, effects, and treatment began. These efforts significantly reduced the disease’s spread. Even though the risk of transmission has decreased, there is still a considerable distance to travel before the disease is eradicated worldwide.

World Chagas Disease Day was established in May 2019 and will be observed for the first time in 2020 to assist researchers and medical professionals in combating this disease. According to Dr. Marcos Espinal, Director of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), this day is significant because it promotes awareness about Chagas disease and encourages preventative measures. The holiday emphasises disease detection, treatment, and the development of preventative measures.

Chagas disease, also known as the “silent disease,” is endemic in twenty-one countries. It is known to affect the impoverished due to their lack of access to adequate healthcare and sanitation. The parasitic disease is caused by the microorganism Trypanosoma Cruzi and is transmitted by insects to humans. Blood transfusion, organ transplantation, contaminated food, and contact with the faeces/urine of infected triatomine bugs all contribute to the spread of the infection. The disease-causing insects are typically active at night and conceal in the crevices of houses, animal pens, and warehouses.

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5 FACTS ABOUT CHAGAS DISEASE

This term refers to the disease’s ability to lie latent in the bloodstream for decades.

Transmission is primarily caused by the triatomine bug, also known as the ‘kissing virus.’

There are approximately six to seven million infected individuals worldwide.

Approximately 30% of infected people develop cardiovascular disease.

The disease was named after the Brazilian physician who discovered it in 1909, Carlos Chagas.

WORLD CHAGAS DISEASE DAY DATES