Deadly Kissing Bugs Invade U.S. — Are You Safe?

As a once-overlooked tropical disease establishes itself on American soil, health officials warn that Chagas disease—spread by “kissing bugs”—is now a lurking threat in dozens of U.S. states.

CDC Recognizes Chagas Disease as Endemic in America

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared in September 2025 that Chagas disease, once thought to be limited to Latin America, is now entrenched in the United States. This shift came after mounting evidence of locally acquired infections, particularly in Texas, California, and several Midwestern states. The vector, a blood-sucking insect known as the “kissing bug,” has been identified in 32 states—an alarming expansion from its historic southern range. This development challenges the long-held belief that Chagas was strictly an imported illness.

The CDC’s recognition marks a major public health pivot, as most U.S. cases were previously linked to travelers from Latin America. Now, increasing numbers are being diagnosed with no history of travel abroad, indicating that local transmission is taking hold. Health officials stress that the true scale of infection is likely underreported due to low awareness and a lack of routine screening. Without heightened surveillance, many Americans—especially in rural or substandard housing—remain at risk of contracting a disease that can lie dormant for years before striking the heart or digestive system.

Origins and Pathways: How Chagas Disease Arrived Stateside

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted when infected “kissing bugs” bite humans and defecate near the wound, allowing the parasite to enter the bloodstream. Originally described in Brazil in 1909, Chagas has long been a leading cause of heart disease and early death in Latin America. In the U.S., initial cases were overwhelmingly imported among immigrants. However, the discovery of the triatomine bug’s presence in the American South, and now as far north as Pennsylvania and Wyoming, has transformed the disease into a domestic threat. The spread is reminiscent of other vector-borne illnesses, such as West Nile virus, that took root due to failures in border control and environmental vigilance.

For decades, the risk of Chagas was dismissed as negligible, despite sporadic U.S. infections since the 20th century. Increased migration, expanding bug habitats, and a lack of decisive government screening have all contributed to the current situation. The CDC report underscores that the disease’s establishment in America is a direct result of these overlapping factors—raising uncomfortable questions about where government priorities have been and how much faith the public can place in bureaucratic safeguards.

Low Awareness, High Stakes: The Hidden Toll on Americans

Experts estimate that at least 300,000 people in the U.S. are infected with Chagas disease, yet fewer than 2% are aware of their status. The parasite often remains silent for years, but roughly one in three infected individuals will eventually develop serious cardiac or gastrointestinal complications. Physicians and researchers like Dr. Norman L. Beatty (University of Florida) and Dr. Judith Currier (UCLA Health) warn that most medical providers lack training to recognize or treat Chagas disease. This lack of preparedness is compounded by the absence of routine screening—especially in blood banks and among high-risk communities.

Los Angeles County has begun routine testing, but many other regions lag behind, exposing gaps in public health infrastructure. The consequences are severe: undiagnosed patients face risks of heart failure, stroke, and even sudden death. Treatment is available but is most effective if administered early, highlighting the urgent need for awareness campaigns and expanded access to diagnostic tools. The CDC and academic experts agree—without swift action, the human and financial costs will mount as the disease continues to spread under the radar.

Conservative Concerns: Border Security and Government Accountability

The emergence of Chagas disease as a homegrown health threat underscores the failures of past open-border policies and government inaction. The wide distribution of the kissing bug, coupled with the underdiagnosis crisis, reflects decades of neglected border enforcement and misplaced public health priorities. For conservatives, the lesson is clear: protecting American families requires strong borders, vigilant disease surveillance, and a government that puts citizen safety first—not the endless expansion of bureaucracy or focus on divisive social agendas.

With Chagas now officially endemic, the call to action is urgent. Lawmakers must ensure robust border security to limit further importation of disease vectors. Public health agencies must shed the “it can’t happen here” mentality and prioritize early detection, education, and decisive action. Ultimately, this crisis serves as a reminder: American sovereignty, family health, and constitutional priorities go hand-in-hand. When government loses focus, it’s the American people who pay the price.