Peter Hotez: Parasite

PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases Journal Dept: In an editorial in the PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases journal, Dr. Peter Hotez warns of the serious consequences of the disease which is already widespread amongst the poor and indigenous groups in Latin America and parts of the United States, specifically Texas and the Gulf coast, according to The Star. But the parasite itself is transmitted through the bug s feces. When the bug bites someone it also defecates on them and the parasite enters the body, Hotez explained and chagas disease, which is caused by parasites transmitted to humans by a tiny insect called the kissing bug , is the New HIV/AIDS of the Americas , according to a leading expert in tropical diseases. The disease named after Carlos Chagas, a Brazilian doctor who first discovered it in the early 20th century is caused by a parasite known as a trypanosome. The parasite is carried by the kissing bug which has been described as a cockroach with a long proboscis snout that allows it to feed on blood. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.