Veterinary Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis) in the United States

Veterinary Chagas disease is a persistent threat to humans, dogs, and other wild or domestic mammals that live where infected triatomine "kissing bug" insect vectors occur across the Americas, including 28 states in the Southern United States. Animals infected with the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite may be asymptomatic or may develop myocarditis, heart failure, and sudden death. It is difficult to prevent animal contact with vectors because they are endemic in sylvatic environments and often disperse to domestic habitats. Challenges for disease management include imperfect diagnostic tests and limited antiparasitic treatment options.