texas Health Officials Issue Alert Regarding ‘Kissing Bug’ Disease
AUSTIN, TX – September 13, 2025 – Texas health authorities are advising residents to take precautions against the ”kissing bug,” an insect capable of transmitting the parasite that causes Chagas disease, a possibly life-threatening illness. recent reports indicate increased activity of the Triatoma species,commonly known as kissing bugs,across several regions of the state,prompting a public health awareness campaign.
Chagas disease,while historically concentrated in Latin America,is increasingly recognized as a public health concern within the United States,notably in the southern states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. are infected wiht Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, with the majority unaware of their condition. In Texas, the disease is spread through the feces of the kissing bug, which typically bites sleeping people or animals near the mouth and eyes-hence the nickname.
The kissing bug, a nocturnal insect, feeds on the blood of mammals, including humans. Infection occurs when the parasite-laden feces are rubbed into the bite wound,mucous membranes,or conjunctiva. Symptoms in the acute phase can be mild and often go unnoticed, including fever, fatigue, body aches, and a characteristic swelling around one eye. Though, if left untreated, Chagas disease can progress to a chronic stage, leading to serious heart and digestive problems years or even decades later.
Health officials recommend several preventative measures: sealing cracks and crevices in walls and roofs, using screens on windows and doors, and inspecting bedding for bugs. Residents are advised not to disturb or crush the bugs if found, but to contact their local health department or extension office for identification and guidance. further information is available from the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
