(WSVN) - A dangerous disease caused by insects called “kissing bugs” has sickened about 300,000 people in the U.S., including Florida residents, the American Heart Association reports.
According to the AHA, the sickness is called Chagas disease, which is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi or the “kissing bug.” The disease has spread to areas where it has not been usually seen, the AHA said.
Florida is among the states in the U.S. that have been known to have cases of the Chagas disease, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, along with other southern states like Texas and California.
The AHA reported an estimated amount of 300,000 cases in the United States.
These “kissing bugs” usually operate at nighttime, Fox 23 reported, crawling onto people, dogs and other mammals to eat. When they feast, they usually leave behind feces that can cause an infection if it gets underneath the skin. In children, this may cause brain swelling, which could be fatal.
Texas A&M and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers said symptoms of those who might be affected are:
- fatigue
- body aches
- rash
- swollen eyelids
Fox 23 said those who suffer from the disease can usually be treated with anti-parasitic medication.
The CDC said, however, that these bugs rarely infest indoors.
For more information on the disease, click here.
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