Triatomine Bugs Surveillance Method
Surveillance techniques in the United States involve identifying immature stages of Triatomine bugs as well as screening the national blood supply for parasitic infection.
Cases of Chagas disease are not currently required by federal law to be reported. It is estimated that there are 300,000 cases of Chagas disease in the United States. Current surveillance techniques for Chagas disease is limited to national blood donor screenings. Triatomine bugs are typically 0.75 - 1.25 inches long. Due to the multiple species found in the United States, each bug should carefully be evaluated by an entomologist for identification.
CDC/ Dr. Mae Melvin
CDC/ Dr. A.J. Sulzer
CDC/ Dr. L.L. Moore, Jr.
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