Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Geneva, Apr 14th. - Humanity today celebrates World Day of Chagas Disease with the aim of raising public awareness of this evil that often passes silently, until it is too late.
According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that between six and seven million people worldwide are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, and which causes about 12,000 deaths each year.
At least 75 million people are at risk of infection, with an estimated annual incidence between 30 thousand and 40,000 cases.
However, in many countries, screening rates are low (less than 10 per cent and often less than one per cent) and people with the disease routinely encounter significant barriers to diagnosis and adequate health care.
This condition is called a silent disease because most patients do not have symptoms during the acute or chronic stages of the infection, until the damage is too advanced to reverse.
It remains a public health problem, especially in several endemic areas of mainland Latin America, where the burden on health systems is the highest.
According to experts, in recent years climate change and global migration have expanded the scope of the disease to several countries outside the Americas.
Although cases have been documented in some 44 countries around the world, only six have information systems to monitor existing cases and active transmission routes.
Transmission can occur through six pathways: vectorial, oral, congenital, transfusion, organ transplantation and laboratory accident.
Early detection is key as Chagas disease is curable when treatment is given shortly after infection. (PL) (Photo: Internet taken)
