Congenital Transmission of Chagas Disease — Virginia, 2010
Chagas disease, caused by infection with the parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi, affects 8–11 million persons globally (1). In
the endemic areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America,
most infections are transmitted by triatomine insect (kissing
bug) vectors. However, infection also can be acquired
congenitally or through blood transfusion, organ
transplantation, consumption of triatomine-contaminated food or
drink, or laboratory accident (2). Early detection and treatment
are highly effective; however, acute infection often is
subclinical, and most persons are unaware of their infection. If
left untreated, the infection is lifelong. The majority of
persons with chronic infection remain without signs or symptoms,
but 20%–30% eventually develop disease manifestations, most
commonly, cardiomyopathy. Migration from endemic areas has led
to an estimated 300,000 persons in the United States with
chronic Chagas disease (3), including women of reproductive a