World Chagas Disease Day

World Chagas Disease Day will be celebrated for the first time on 14 April 2020. Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is a chronic and potentially severe parasitic disease which is mainly transmitted by contact with the faeces and/or urine of infected reduviid bugs.

Chagas disease is prevalent largely among the poor populations of continental Latin America, affecting between six and seven million people. In the past few decades, it has been increasingly detected in the United States of America and Canada and in many European and some Western Pacific countries.

Evidence-based and cost-effective interventions exist, including screening programmes, early case detection, prompt treatment of cases, vector control, and hygiene and food safety. The aims of the campaign are to raise public awareness of both the condition and the resources needed for the prevention, control or elimination of the disease.

Further information and advice on Chagas disease is available on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: WHO, 8 April 2020