County Health Officials Report First Locally Acquired Chagas Case
San Diego County News Center • • health
Key Points:
- San Diego County health officials have confirmed the region's first locally acquired case of Chagas disease, detected during routine blood donation screening in an asymptomatic donor.
- Chagas disease, typically found in rural Latin America, is spread by the kissing bug, which in San Diego usually lives in rodent nests, making outdoor activities like camping potential risk factors.
- Early infection often presents mild or no symptoms, but untreated cases can lead to serious heart and gastrointestinal complications years later, and can be transmitted from mother to infant during pregnancy.
- The disease became locally reportable in San Diego County in 2024, with 22 reports received and four confirmed cases so far; the latest is the first confirmed locally acquired infection.
- Health officials advise travelers to endemic areas to use protective measures against insect bites and recommend screening for people who have lived in Latin America, especially pregnant women.
