Southern California reports its first locally acquired Chagas disease case linked to kissing bugs

San Diego County has recorded its first locally acquired case of Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi transmitted by kissing bugs (Triatominae). Though the disease is most common in Latin America, these bugs are now found in Southern California, raising concerns about local transmission. Chagas has an acute phase with flu-like symptoms and can progress to a chronic phase years later, leading to heart or digestive complications; treatment with benznidazole or nifurtimox is most effective in the acute phase, but chronic infection is hard to cure. Health experts say many infections go undiagnosed, underscoring the need for awareness and testing among residents and clinicians.