Chagas disease - a tropical parasite disease may be more widespread in Texas than previously thought, says researcher.
![Researcher Says Chagas Disease may Threaten Texas Researcher Says Chagas Disease may Threaten Texas](https://www.medindia.net/afp/images/Health-US-offbeat-society-bedbugs-194301.jpg)
Endemic to rural areas of Latin America, Chagas disease is often transmitted by triatomine bugs, also known as "kissing bugs."
In order to assess the prevalence of Chagas disease in Texas, Sarkar is working with a network of health professionals and researchers around the state. After collecting and classifying insects from the field, Sarkar sends them to Philip Williamson, an assistant professor at The University of North Texas Health Science Center. Williamson determines how many of the bugs carry the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes the disease.
Source-Eurekalert