Team:Oxford/Chagas Disease

Introduction

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease named after a Brazilian scientist, Carlos Chagas, who first described the life cycle of the parasite – Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi) that causes the disease. Chagas is primarily transmitted via the faeces of triatomine bugs, when they take a blood meal. Other forms of transmission include:blood transfusions orally via ingestion of contaminated fluids vertical transmission Chagas is endemic to Latin America but increased migration of infected people has led to it spreading to non-endemic countries, consequently increasing the number of people susceptible to the disease and causing it to be a growing global concern.