American Red Cross says 'chagas' disease has entered US

The paralytic 'chagas, or kissing bug' disease has now been reported in the US. Could this possibly be further evidence of global warming?
Edit: To comply with t and c
www.npr.org...


Mod Note: Starting a New Thread ?... Look Here First.

[edit on 20-10-2007 by DontTreadOnMe]

[edit on 20-10-2007 by jpm1602]

Interesting, but I don't think it's going to be an endemic threat. It is spread via the "kissing bugs" who apparently prefer to feed on people's faces, then after feeding, they defecate. The parasites are transmitted via the insect's feces into the wound if accidentally scratched or rubbed.

The only other ways to get it are as follows:

* consumption of uncooked food contaminated with feces from infected bugs;
* congenital transmission (from a pregnant woman to her baby);
* blood transfusion;
* organ transplantation; and
* accidental laboratory exposure.

Chagas disease is not transmitted from person-to-person like a cold or the flu or through casual contact.

CDC Factsheet on chagas