An estimated 16-18 million people are infected in 18 countries of Latin America. For the geographical distribution, see the Chagas map from the World Health Organization. However, important differences occur among endemic countries. Approximately 20% of the Bolivian population is infected (i.e., approximately 1.2 million individuals). Whereas Brazil, with a 1.3% global prevalence rate, has 5 million persons with Chagas disease. Prevalence is estimated to be 5-10% in Argentina, Honduras, Paraguay and El Salvador; 1-5% in Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela; and less than 1% in Mexico and Nicaragua. People from Latin America who are infected also migrate to Europe, Japan, and Australia, but quantitative information is lacking. T Cruzi infection is no found in Africa, where the other human Trypanosomiasis, sleeping sickness, is present.

Because of the better conditions of housing, cases of human disease in US natives are rare, despite the occurrence of sylvatic cycle. However, infection is found frequently in immigrants from Mexico and Central and South America. According to estimates. 100, 000-675,000 immigrants from Latin American are infected with T. Cruzi.

Source of Information

• Yves Carlier, MD, MSc.
  Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)
  eMedicine.com, Inc.
  http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic327.htm

More Information

• The Chagas Disease
• Historical Review
      • Dr. Carlos Justiniano Riveiro Chagas (1879-1934)
      • Dr. Salvador Mazza (1886 -1946)
      • Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén (1936-1962)
      • Dr. Oswaldo Cruz (1872-1917)
• Medical Information
      • Epidemiology
      • Mortality
      • Race, sex and age.
      • Modes of Transmission
      • Pathophysiology
      • Clinical Information
      • Diagnostic
      • Other Medical Information
• Prevention and Control
• Frequently Asked Questions