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Chagas Disease

GMJ News knowledge hub · last reviewed August 2026 · Georgian Medical Journal

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Chagas disease — caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted primarily by triatomine ('kissing') bugs — affects approximately 6-7 million people, predominantly in Latin America, causing cardiac and gastrointestinal complications that kill tens of thousands per year (WHO). The silent chronic phase — during which the parasite destroys heart and gut tissue over decades without symptoms — means most people are unaware of their infection until they present with heart failure, arrhythmias or sudden death. As a WHO Neglected Tropical Disease, Chagas is targeted for control by 2030; its global spread through migration makes it increasingly relevant beyond the Americas.

Key messages

6-7 million infected
Chagas disease — caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi — affects approximately 6-7 million people, predominantly in Latin America, causing silent cardiac destruction that kills tens of thousands per year (WHO).
Silent killer
The majority of Chagas disease patients are unaware of their infection. After the acute phase, most enter a silent chronic phase lasting decades — during which the parasite gradually destroys cardiac and smooth muscle tissue, ultimately causing cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, cardiac failure and sudden death.
Global spread through migration
Chagas disease has spread globally through migration from Latin America — an estimated 70,000-100,000 people living with Chagas in Europe, 300,000 in the US and cases documented in Japan, Australia and Canada. Vertical (mother-to-child) transmission and blood transfusion are the primary transmission routes outside Latin America.
Triatomine vector
The primary transmission route is through the bite (and defecation) of infected triatomine ("kissing") bugs — which live in cracks in poor-quality housing. Vector control through housing improvement and insecticide spraying is the most impactful prevention in endemic areas.
Treatment is most effective early
Benznidazole or nifurtimox treat Chagas disease — most effectively in the acute phase and early chronic infection (children). Treatment efficacy declines with disease duration; in late-stage cardiac Chagas, treatment prevents transmission but does not reverse cardiac damage.
WHO 2030 elimination target
Chagas is a WHO Neglected Tropical Disease targeted for control — interrupting vector-borne, transfusion, and vertical transmission by 2030 through the NTD Roadmap.

Key statistics

6-7M
people infected with T. cruzi
WHO
75M
people at risk in 21 countries
WHO
10K+
deaths/year from Chagas
WHO
30%
of chronically infected develop cardiac Chagas
WHO
300K
infected people in the US
CDC
2030
WHO NTD elimination target
WHO NTD Roadmap

Countries with Chagas disease transmission and estimated infected people — WHO

Source: WHO. Latin America endemic; global spread through migration. Numbers are estimates.

Glossary of key terms

Trypanosoma cruzi
WHOA protozoan parasite (kinetoplastid) causing Chagas disease. Transmitted primarily through the bite and faeces of triatomine bugs, but also vertically (mother to child), through blood transfusion and organ transplantation, and occasionally through contaminated food/drink.
Triatomine bugs
WHO/PAHOBlood-sucking insects (subfamily Triatominae, family Reduviidae) that serve as vectors of T. cruzi. They live in cracks in the walls and roofs of poor-quality housing — emerging at night to feed. Defecation during feeding deposits T. cruzi on skin, which enters through the bite wound.
Acute Chagas
WHO/PAHOThe initial phase of infection (weeks to months) — often asymptomatic or causing mild non-specific illness. Romani's sign (unilateral periorbital oedema from conjunctival entry of T. cruzi) is characteristic but uncommon. Myocarditis and meningoencephalitis occur rarely in the acute phase.
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy
WHO/ACCThe most serious consequence of Chagas — developing in approximately 30% of chronically infected people after decades of silent infection. Characterised by dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias (particularly right bundle branch block), apical aneurysm and high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Benznidazole
WHO EMLThe first-line antiparasitic treatment for Chagas — effective at eliminating T. cruzi, particularly in the acute phase and in children. A 60-day course achieves 70-80% cure in acute infection. Less effective in late chronic disease but still reduces transmission and possibly slows cardiac progression.
Chagas vertical transmission
WHO/PAHOMother-to-child transmission of T. cruzi during pregnancy or at delivery — occurring in approximately 5-10% of pregnancies in infected women. The primary route of Chagas transmission outside Latin America. Screening of pregnant women in endemic and at-risk immigrant communities enables early treatment of infected newborns.

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NTDsCVDMigration and healthOne HealthBlood safetyLeishmaniasis

About this hub. Produced by the GMJ News Editorial Team as a public-good service. Every statistic is linked to its primary source. Documents are preserved in the GMJ Repository with full attribution. Georgian Medical Journal · Contact the editorial team
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