Chagas disease, a diagnosis that often comes late

In the absence of symptoms, most people with the Chagas disease they are not diagnosed or receive medical attention until they develop a chronic condition. under the World Chagas Disease Dayon April 14, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calls for strengthening the primary care level to facilitate early diagnosis and access to treatment of this disease.

With the motto, It is time to integrate care for Chagas disease into the primary health networkthe objective of this year is to make the population aware of the low detection rates and address existing barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare.

“Chagas is a disease that few know about, although it affects millions of people,” said the director of PAHO. “I call on governments, health personnel and community workers to make additional efforts and focus their attention on the most vulnerable populations; and thus work together so that soon, Chagas is a disease eliminated as a public health problem”, added Jarbas Barbosa.

Most of those affected are in Latin America

The Organization explains that Chagas affects between six and seven million people worldwide, most of them in Latin America, although the disease is being detected in other countries, as a consequence of migratory and tourist movements. In the region, each year there are 30,000 new cases and 10,000 deaths.

Unitaid’s communications officer declares that “in Latin America, where it is endemic in 21 countries, Chagas disease is the leading cause of death from a parasite, ahead of malaria. Originally seen in rural areas, this condition has now also moved into urban settings in 44 countries spanning all continents except Antarctica.”

“Up to 75 million people live in exposed areas, putting them at risk of infection. Detection rates are often very low in many countries. only the10% of people living with the disease are diagnosed and 1% receive effective treatment,” adds Herve Verhoosel.

transmission and treatment

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite T. cruzi. It is mainly transmitted by the bite of an insect known as a bug or vinchuca. You can also do it by blood transfusion or organ transplant, during pregnancy and labor, and by consuming contaminated food.

Chagas disease is almost 100% curable if it is detected and if drugs are administered at the beginning of the infection, in the acute stage, even in cases of congenital transmission. In the chronic phase, treatment can slow or slow its progress. But without it, in the long term up to 30% of patients can develop irreversible complications for the nervous system, digestive system and heart.

“With Chagas detection rates so low, treatment is coming too late,” said the interim director of PAHO’s Department of Prevention, Control, and Elimination of Communicable Diseases. Massimo Ghidinelli also adds that it is necessary to “involve the community and support the professionals of basic health units with training and critical supplies to deal with the disease.”

Since 1990, with the support of PAHO, the countries of the region have made progress in the transmission control of Chagas, have applied the universal screening in blood banks and in pregnant women, and improved the quality and conditions of housing. In this sense, 18 countries in the region have managed to interrupt home vector transmission at the national level or in some portion of their territories.

For a Chagas-free childhood

It is estimated that about 1.1 million women of childbearing age are infected with the parasite. T. cruzi in Latin America and that, each year, nine thousand children contract Chagas disease through mother-to-child transmission.

PAHO reiterates its recommendation to carry out universal screening for Chagas disease for pregnant women, and tests newborns to determine their serological status. It also advises treating positive mothers and babies after delivery.

most common symptoms

When there are, the most common symptoms are fever, swelling, cough, skin lesions and abdominal pain or headache, ailments that due to their frequency also make it difficult to properly diagnose the disease.