Up to 100,000 Californians could have potentially fatal ‘kissing bug’ disease previously rarely seen in US
Up to 100,000 Californians could have potentially fatal ‘kissing bug’ disease previously rarely seen in US
www.independent.co.uk
Up to 100,000 Californians could have potentially fatal ‘kissing bug’ disease
"California has more residents who have been infected with Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, than any other state, in part due to there being so many residents who come from countries where the disease is endemic, according to the report. A study by California’s Department of Health found that 31 of 40 human cases reported between 2013 and 2023 were acquired in other countries. Officials could not rule out local transmission for the remaining cases.
While the disease was once only found in more rural parts of Mexico and Central and South America, it is now present in at least 30 U.S. states."
Most people don't find out they have Chagas until they try to donate blood because it sits dormant.
It can cause heart attacks, seizures, strokes.
Doctors are not required to report cases, so the known numbers are the tip of the iceberg.
At this point I don't know if it would even matter if they did report cases since Trump, in his infinite wisdom, just wiped out the CDC.
Wait, wtf. The 3rd paragraph makes no sense and doesn't elaborate. It makes it sound like the infection waits until you try to give blood and then strikes. 'oh you want to help people? fuck you have a stroke right now'
Donated blood is tested for various diseases before it can be used. Many people will not know they have these diseases until their blood is tested specially for them, which often won't happen until they donate blood.
People who don't have insurance only get blood tests when something's VERY wrong or they're trying to "donate" (sell) plasma.
Sorry dude, I was trimming snippets from the article
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