Where kissing bugs are found. Kissing bugs are found in warm southern states of the U.S. and in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Is Chagas disease in Canada?
1,2 Given the substantial numbers of Latin American immigrants from endemic countries, there are likely thousands of undiagnosed, chronically infected persons with Chagas disease in Canada,8 with only a small minority discovered via blood donation.
Where are kissing bugs located?
They are typically found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America (as far south as southern Argentina). The map below details triatomine occurrence by U.S. state. Triatomines are mostly active at night and feed on the blood of mammals (including humans), birds, and reptiles.
Does Ontario have kissing bugs?
Three types of ‘kissing bugs’, all of which can be found in the U.S. Experts say the risk of contracting Chagas, which can be transmitted by kissing bugs, in Canada is low. Canadains who become infected with Chagas normally do so when travelling outside of the country.
Is there assassin bugs in Canada?
Although commonly found in the Southern States and warmer regions, the assassin bug is no stranger to Canada due to recent climate changes. As such, it’s important to know how to identify assassin bugs, and also understand the dangers they pose as well as the methods used to keep them out of your home.
Can you survive Chagas?
Many people may remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop severe and sometimes life-threatening medical problems over the course of their lives.
Can you be cured of Chagas disease?
Treatment. To kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if given soon after infection at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.
Do kissing bugs live in beds?
Inside human dwellings, Kissing Bugs become crack and crevice dwellers like Bedbugs and cockroaches. Kissing Bugs emerge from hiding places at night and attack people in bed, much like Bedbugs will. When looking for a Kissing Bug infestation, generally follow the advice given for Bedbugs.
What happens if you touch a kissing bug?
Kissing bugs can transmit a parasite that leads to a potentially serious illness called Chagas disease. Most cases of Chagas disease occur in Latin America. Although infection directly from exposure to the kissing bug is rare in the US, it is still important to take steps to prevent kissing bug bites.
What keeps kissing bugs away?
To safeguard your living spaces from these bugs, focus on exclusion methods. Caulk gaps around windows, walls, attics, crawlspaces, and doors, as well as in your roof and foundation. You also can store piles of firewood and rocks away from your house and bag leaves for trash removal.
What to do if you find kissing bugs in your house?
If you find a kissing bug, the CDC recommends you do not touch or squash it. To help understand the problem and how many carry the disease, the CDC is asking for help. They suggest you place a container on top of the kissing bug for 24 hours, and then seal the bug inside the container.
Why are kissing bugs in my house?
How did I get kissing bugs? Bright porch and doorway lighting often lures kissing bugs inside homes. These insects feed on pets, so outdoor cats or dogs can also bring bugs inside.
What season do kissing bugs come out?
Keep an eye out for them in May and June.
In Arizona, kissing bugs are often associated with pack rats, as they take up residence in pack rat nests and feed on their blood.
What are Canadian soldiers bugs?
A mayfly is also called a Canadian soldier. It’s the same thing. There’s no difference. Mayflies are a bit larger than midges and have distinct large wings, as well as a pronounced tail.
Is a kissing bug and a stink bug the same?
Kissing bugs are much more dangerous than stink bugs due to the way they feed on humans. Unlike kissing bugs, stink bugs are plant feeders and don’t bite people. They are also different in appearance since stink bugs are much lighter in color and do not have bright colors present on their body.
What does a kissing bug bite feel like?
The bite isn’t distinctive, either. It looks like any other bug bite, except there’s usually a cluster of bites together in one spot. People who are sensitive to the kissing bug’s saliva may experience a reaction to the bite. This is usually only mild itching, redness, and swelling.
What happens physically to a person who gets Chagas?
Heart failure. Sudden cardiac arrest. Difficulty swallowing due to enlarged esophagus. Stomach pain or constipation due to enlarged colon.
How do you detect Chagas?
The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.
Who is most likely to get Chagas?
People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Which country has the most Chagas disease?
Chagas disease is the most prevalent communicable tropical disease in Latin America. The most important vectors are the Triatoma infestans in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru; the R.
Should I get tested for Chagas?
A specific test is necessary for the diagnosis of Chagas disease. The test detects the presence of the infection through analysis of a blood sample. Anyone who suspects that they may have Chagas disease should ask their doctor to order this test.