N※N

Alabama Department of Public Health warns about Chagas disease

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. of-public-health-warns-about-chagas-disease.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 22:52 GMT by WSFA
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Alabama Department of Public Health Warns About Rising Threat of Chagas Disease

In a recent press release distributed to media outlets across the state, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) issued a formal warning about the increasing incidence of Chagas disease in Alabama. The announcement—published on September 24, 2025—comes as the state’s health officials report a noticeable uptick in imported and locally acquired cases of the parasitic infection, traditionally associated with Latin America but now emerging as a growing public‑health concern in the southeastern United States.

What is Chagas Disease?

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is primarily transmitted through contact with the feces of triatomine bugs, commonly known as “kissing bugs.” The disease is often called a “silent” infection because it can remain asymptomatic for years, only to develop into severe cardiac or gastrointestinal complications later in life. In the United States, most cases are reported in individuals who have traveled to endemic countries, but the spread of the vector to the southeastern U.S. has led to a small but measurable number of locally transmitted infections.

The ADPH’s press release cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the primary source of global statistics. According to the CDC, there are an estimated 4,000–5,000 chronic Chagas cases in the U.S., most of whom were born in or have traveled to endemic areas in Latin America. The CDC also warns that about 5–10% of people with the disease develop chronic heart or digestive problems.

Why Alabama? Emerging Trends

The ADPH report indicates that the state has seen a 35% increase in Chagas diagnoses since 2020, with a majority of new cases involving young adults between the ages of 20 and 35. While the majority of cases were linked to recent travel to Central or South America, a small but significant proportion were identified among non‑travelers, suggesting possible local transmission.

Dr. Melissa Ruiz, Director of the ADPH’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Branch, highlighted that the southeastern climate—warm, humid summers and mild winters—creates a favorable environment for the kissing bug. The agency has been actively monitoring bug populations in urban and rural communities. In a recent survey, ADPH identified triatomine bugs in several counties, including Jefferson, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa.

“While we have not yet confirmed any autochthonous transmission, the presence of the vector in these areas is a clear warning sign,” Ruiz said. “We are taking proactive steps to educate the public and health professionals alike.”

Surveillance and Blood‑Donor Screening

The press release emphasized the role of blood‑donor screening in detecting Chagas disease. The United States Department of Health and Human Services mandates testing of all blood donations for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies, a requirement that has effectively reduced transfusion‑transmitted cases in the U.S. The ADPH is collaborating with the Alabama Blood Center to ensure that all donor screening protocols remain up to date and that new cases are promptly reported to the state health database.

According to the ADPH, the state has documented 12 blood‑donor–associated Chagas cases in the past five years. While the number remains small, these cases serve as a cautionary tale: a single infected donor can potentially expose thousands of recipients if the screening is not rigorous.

Diagnostic Tools and Treatment Protocols

For clinicians, the ADPH’s advisory provides a concise reference to the latest CDC guidelines for diagnosing and treating Chagas disease. The agency recommends serologic testing—ELISA or IFA—followed by confirmatory Western blot or PCR if initial results are positive or equivocal. For individuals with acute infection, the ADPH stresses the importance of early treatment with benznidazole or nifurtimox, medications that can effectively clear the parasite when administered promptly.

The press release also contains a link to a downloadable PDF of the ADPH’s “Chagas Disease Clinical Management Guide,” which outlines screening algorithms for high‑risk populations, such as recent immigrants from endemic regions, people with unexplained heart disease, and pregnant women with a travel history. The guide also provides information on how to report suspected cases to the ADPH’s surveillance system.

Public‑Health Measures: Prevention and Education

Recognizing that prevention is the most effective strategy, the ADPH issued a public‑health campaign titled “Know, Knock, and Keep the Bugs Away.” The initiative includes:

1. Educational Outreach – Posters and brochures distributed to schools, community centers, and health clinics about how to identify and eliminate kissing bugs.
2. Home‑Inspection Drives – Partnerships with local pest‑control companies to offer free inspections for residents in high‑risk areas.
3. Screening Events – Mobile health vans that travel to rural communities to provide free Chagas antibody testing for anyone who has lived abroad or has a high risk of exposure.
4. Blood‑Donor Vigilance – Continuous reinforcement of screening protocols and periodic training for blood‑bank staff.

The ADPH also urges residents to take basic protective measures: sealing cracks and crevices in homes, using bed nets, and conducting regular inspections for bugs around sleeping areas.

Community Stories

The article includes a brief interview with Maria Torres, a 28‑year‑old nurse from Mobile who was diagnosed with Chagas disease after returning from a six‑month volunteer mission in Nicaragua. Torres recounted how she had experienced vague fatigue and occasional chest pain before receiving the diagnosis. She credits early testing—spurred by a conversation with a local health worker— with allowing her to begin treatment promptly and avoid long‑term complications.

Linking to the Broader Context

To place Alabama’s efforts in a national context, the press release links to the CDC’s comprehensive Chagas disease fact sheet, which offers a deep dive into the parasite’s life cycle, the role of kissing bugs, and the epidemiology of the disease across the globe. The CDC resource also recommends ongoing research into vaccine development and improved diagnostic tools—areas that the ADPH has earmarked as future priorities.

What This Means for Alabama Residents

In summary, the ADPH’s warning is a reminder that Chagas disease, once considered a distant tropical illness, is now a real health threat for Alabamians. The key takeaways for the public and healthcare professionals alike are:

• Stay Informed: Know the risk factors—travel to endemic regions, exposure to kissing bugs, or blood transfusions.
• Get Tested: If you fall into any high‑risk category, seek serologic testing promptly.
• Prevent Exposure: Seal your home, use insect repellents, and consider bed nets.
• Support Surveillance: Report suspected cases to keep data up to date and help shape effective responses.

By embracing these measures, Alabama can curb the spread of Chagas disease, protect its communities, and align with the CDC’s national guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.