From 6 to 13 percent of the Yucatecan population could have been in direct contact with the parasite that causes Chagas disease
MERIDA YUCATAN.- Chagas disease, also known as “trypanosomiasis Americana”, is an inflammatory and infectious disease caused by an insect of the subfamily Triatominae (bedbug).
“Pics”, as they are known in Yucatan, are the bugs carriers of the parasite “Trypanosoma cruzi” which causes the disease, found in the insect’s excrement and is capable of perforating the epidermis.
Epidemiological expert of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Yucatan, doctor Narcós Alcocer Ayuso, explains that Chagas disease is typically a problem of the tropical areas of the world.
“The presence of this insect has been noticed in Yucatan and it has also been seen in South and Central America” he explained. “In the area where we are, Yucatan, as well as throughout Central America the risk of encounter the bug is higher in areas close to forests and/or jungle”.
Researchers from the UNAM and UADY have developed a technique based on ultrasound for the detection of ‘Chagas disease’, which, over the years, can cause sudden death or heart failure due to the progressive destruction of the heart muscle. (File / SIPSE)
The head of the Parasitology Laboratory of the Regional Research Center “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi”, doctor Miguel Rosado Vallado, explains that a person infected by the bugs excrement can present results similar to those of a cold, that could lead to major problems in the future. “Although there is an acute phase of general illness that is symptomatic, the durability is a few weeks. After the pathology occurs the patient will have affectations of cardiac type, which can last 10 or 20 years and end up fatally”. He warned. Doctor Rosado Vallado added that from 6 to 13 percent of the Yucatan population could have been in direct contact with the parasite that causes Chagas disease although in the state, the health authorities do not seem to abound on the subject.
Source: IMSS, Regional Research Center “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi”, SIPSE
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