A recent discovery by a researcher has revealed that over half of raccoons sampled were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, in Illinois. The disease is commonly associated with tropical regions but has been found to be circulating silently in US wildlife, particularly in areas where homes border wooded landscapes.
Chagas disease can cause severe and irreversible damage if left untreated, including heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias. The parasite is spread by triatomine insects, also known as “kissing bugs,” which feed on the blood of infected animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 300,000 people in the US are infected with T. cruzi, mostly born in endemic regions.
However, Chagas disease remains largely overlooked in the US, with many unaware they have the infection. A recent review found about 90 confirmed or suspected locally acquired cases in the US between 2000 and 2020, mostly in Texas but also in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and California.
Climate change and land development are expanding the geographic range of triatomine bugs, increasing the risk of human contact with infected insects. The University of Florida Extension report notes that homes bordering wooded landscapes or featuring dog shelters, poultry sheds, or stacked firewood create ideal hiding spots for the insects.
Most doctors in the US do not consider Chagas disease in their differential diagnoses, and routine testing is nearly nonexistent. A treatment exists if caught early, but awareness campaigns and expanded diagnostic access are needed to educate clinicians and the public about this silent threat.
It’s time to stop underestimating Chagas disease and take action to prepare for its potential spread. The solution lies in awareness campaigns, expanded diagnostic access, targeted screening, continued wildlife surveillance, and treatment if caught early.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/08/chagas-disease-endemic-us-raccoons-research-climate-change-spillover