Some experts believe that up 6 million people in Venezuela are at risk of contracting the parasitic infection, Chagas disease because the main vector, the chipo, is found so widespread in the country’s geography.

The chipo, or Rhodnius prolixus, is the primary vector of the parasite and experts believe that over 100,000 square kilometers of Venezuela is common habitat for the chipo. This even includes dozens of populated municipalities.

Chagas disease is traditionally more of a rural disease where people live in poorly constructed homes with cracks and crevices in the walls where the bugs can get through or those with thatch roofs. They can also be found in palm trees and the fronds.

In addition, according to the Venezuelan paper, El Universal, in less than two and a half years, the metropolitan area of Caracas has been affected by three massive outbreaks. A fruit juice was the contamination factor both in the municipality of Chacao and in the town of Chichiriviche de la Costa.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is responsible for a greater disease burden than any other parasitic disease in the New World. Infection occurs when the triatomine vector defecates during its blood meal and fecal material containing the parasite is inoculated through the bite wound or mucous membranes.

The oral mode of transmission of Chaga’s disease is being increasingly recognized in the region. It is associated with the contamination of fresh food or beverages with intestinal contents of triatomid (kissing) bugs.

Robert Herriman