'Kissing Bug' Disease Spreading in U.S.: What Texans Need to Know

The “kissing bug” (triatomine bug) is a blood-sucking insect that tends to bite people around the mouth or eyes while they sleep.

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There's a bug in the U.S. that's got no love for you.

The "kissing bug," better known as the triatomine bug, carries a parasite that can cause serious illness.

Here’s what you need to know about this nasty insect.

"Kissing bug" disease is another name for Chagas disease, an illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.

The “kissing bug” ( triatomine bug) is a blood-sucking insect that tends to bite people around the mouth or eyes while they sleep.

After biting, the bug often defecates near the wound. The parasite is in the feces, and if it enters the body through the bite wound, mucous membranes, or by rubbing the eyes, infection can occur.

What are the symptoms of Chagas, or 'kissing bug' disease?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chagas disease has two stages: acute and chronic.

Here are common symptoms:

Acute phase (first weeks to months after infection):

• Fever
• Fatigue and malaise
• Body aches, headache
• Loss of appetite
• Rash
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Swelling at the bite site (chagoma)
• Romaña’s sign: swelling around one eye if the parasite entered near it

The chronic phase:

• Heart problems, such as an enlarged heart, heart failure, altered heart rate or rhythm, or sudden death.
• Digestive problems, such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, can lead to trouble eating or going to the bathroom.
• About 20% to 30% of people infected with Chagas disease experience serious symptoms.

Is 'kissing bug' disease in Texas?

According to Texas A&M Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chagas disease is present in Texas. While reported cases of kissing disease aren't high in the state, its presence is noted.

According to Texas Health Services, over 300,000 people in the U.S. live with Chagas disease. Texas A&M reported that most states are not required to track cases of Chagas disease. However, doctors have begun monitoring and reporting cases in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Utah, and Los Angeles County.

Below is a map of reported cases in the U.S. of wild, domestic, or captive animals exposed to Trypanosoma cruzi locally; states with reported autochthonous human Chagas disease; and all states with reported triatomines in assessment of Chagas disease as endemic to the U.S..

US states with reported wild, domestic, or captive animals exposed to Trypanosoma cruzi locally; states with reported autochthonous human Chagas disease; and all states with reported triatomines in assessment of Chagas disease as endemic to the United States.
CDC