Deadly ‘kissing bug’ parasite is now in 32 US states — and you might not even know you have it

A kiss might steal your heart — but this one could stop it. 

Health experts are warning about a deadly parasitic infection spread by so-called kissing bugs, which have now been found in 32 states across the country.

At least eight Americans have caught Chagas disease through local transmission, leading scientists to urge the CDC and WHO to officially declare the life-threatening illness endemic in the US.

“This is a disease that has been neglected and has been impacting Latin Americans for many decades,” Norman Beatty, a Chagas expert and epidemiologist, who co-authored the paper, told the Los Angeles Times. “But it’s also here in the United States.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the deadly “kiss” you’ll never forget.

What are kissing bugs?

They’re small black-and-brown insects called triatomines that feed on the blood of people, pets and wild animals, according to Texas A&M’s Kissing Bugs program.

The pests earned their name because they tend to bite people on the face — especially around the mouth and eyes.

Kissing bugs are common in 21 countries, including Mexico and parts of Central and South America, where they’re considered endemic, meaning they’re always present.

In the US, 11 different species have been found nationwide, with Texas, New Mexico and Arizona reporting the highest number of sightings and species diversity.

What is Chagas disease?

It’s a deadly infection caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which lives in the guts of about 55% of the kissing bugs in the US. 

The pests usually infect people via the poop they leave behind near a bite wound, but it can also be spread via organ donations, blood transfusions or mothers who pass it onto their babies during pregnancy, according to the WHO. 

Worldwide, more than 7 million people are estimated to carry the parasite, causing over 10,000 deaths each year.

In the U.S., the American Heart Association estimates that around 300,000 people have Chagas disease. While most cases have been in the South, these bloodsuckers are steadily creeping north.

What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?

Chagas unfolds in two stages. The first, called the acute phase, hits in the weeks or months after infection. Most people show no symptoms, according to the CDC.

If symptoms do appear, they may include fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting and eyelid swelling.

The real danger comes later, in the chronic phase, which can last years or even a lifetime. Again, most remain symptom-free — but some develop serious health problems.

One to three decades after infection, up to a third suffer heart issues, while about 1 in 10 face digestive problems like an enlarged esophagus or colon.

Over time, damage to the nervous system and muscles in the heart and gut can cause life-threatening complications, such as arrhythmias, heart failure and even sudden death.

Is Chagas disease treatable?

Yes — but timing is everything.

During the acute phase, drugs like benznidazole and nifurtimox can kill the parasite and ease symptoms, per the Mayo Clinic.

Once chronic, the disease can’t be cured. Treatment then focuses on managing symptoms. Heart problems may require medication, surgery or pacemakers, while digestive issues might call for diet changes or surgery.

But because early symptoms often go unnoticed, many people don’t realize they’re infected — making early treatment a challenge.

“The disease is definitely underdiagnosed,” Salvador Hernandez, a cardiologist, told News Nation.

“If we screened for it and caught it early, most patients could be cured. The problem is, we don’t, and people end up dying or requiring terrifically expensive care, including organ transplants and surgery.”

Why do scientists want Chagas declared endemic in the US?

Chagas isn’t as widespread here as in other parts of the Americas — but epidemiologists argue it’s time for the CDC and WHO to officially declare it endemic.

Doing so would “improve surveillance, research and public health responses,” they wrote in a paper published Monday, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness among the public.

“Acknowledging the endemicity of Chagas disease in the United States is crucial for achieving global health goals,” the scientists said.