Chagas Disease Spread by Kissing Bugs on the Rise in Texas, Affecting Pets and Humans
In Texas, a dog owner named Becky Roche has shared her experience of losing her dog, Ranger, to Chagas disease, which is spread by the Triatominae family of insects, commonly known as kissing bugs. These insects are prevalent in 29 U.S. states, and about 50% of them carry the disease. The disease is caused by a parasite that can be transmitted to both dogs and humans through the feces of the kissing bugs. The bugs are most active at night and are often found in gardens and wooded areas. Dr. Ashley Saunders, a veterinary cardiologist, explains that the parasite can cause severe heart damage in dogs, leading to heart failure. The World Health Organization notes that humans can be cured if treated during the acute phase of infection. 
