World Chagas Disease Day 2022: Theme And Significance

World Chagas Disease Day 2022: Every day 14 April is observed as World Chagas Disease Day to raise awareness about the life-threatening disease that can cause serious digestive issues and heart disease. It is also called American Trypanosomiasis, silenced disease, or silent disease. It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma crizu and transmitted to humans through a triatomine bug known as the kissing bug. This disease usually affects those who live in rural areas under poor conditions. People living in regions like Mexico, South America and Central America are more prone to this disease. 

The first World Chagas Day was observed on April 14, 2020, with the. The first case of this disease was reported on April 14, 1990, because of this 14 April was marked as World Chagas Day. 

This disease got its name from Dr Calrlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas who diagnosed the disease in a Brazilian girl named Berenice Soares de Moura who was the first patient of the disease. Later it was termed as the silenced disease because of its slowly progressing and frequently asymptomatic clinical course. 

This disease infects approximately 300,000 people in the United States and causes 10,000 deaths per year globally. This disease passes from mother to baby. Every year 300 babies are born with Chagas disease and most are undiagnosed. It causes heart failure, stroke and even death. 

The Chagas Control and Prevention Program is hosted by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) or World Health Organisation (WHO). The key to preventing this disease is to educate healthcare providers so they can make diagnoses and give life-saving treatment.