Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s role in Chagas disease

To mark ‘World Chagas Disease Day’ on 14 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) is drawing attention to Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, which is endemic among poor people in continental Latin America but is increasingly being diagnosed in other countries and continents. With 7 million infections worldwide and a significant mortality rate, Chagas disease is a serious public health threat. It is estimated that 10,000 people die each year from Chagas disease and more than 100 million people are at risk of contracting the disease, which is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease occurs in two successive phases: most acute phases are asymptomatic, while in the chronic phase, patients tend to develop clinical forms of the disease (cardiac, digestive, and/or neurological) that are potentially fatal if not diagnosed and treated. WHO relies on a global information and surveillance system to control Chagas disease, for which treatment is almost 100% effective and the disease can be completely cured. However, as the effectiveness of treatment decreases with the duration of infection, early diagnosis of the disease is crucial to a patient’s recovery. There is currently no vaccine to prevent Chagas disease, which is curable if anti-parasitic treatment is started early in the acute phase. In cases of chronic infection, treatment and follow-up can play a crucial role in halting disease progression and preventing transmission, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth.