K. Kon
Chagas disease parasite
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World Chagas Disease Day 2024: Theme

Tackling Chagas disease: detect early and care for life has been selected as the theme for World Chagas Disease Day following a broad consultative process. 

Early detection is key as Chagas disease is curable when treatment is provided soon after infection. If this does not happen because of delayed diagnosis, the infection can transform into a life-threatening condition. In this case, adequate care throughout life is essential. 

Detection, treatment and monitoring of the disease can be carried out at primary health-care level in most cases.

 

Key messages

Increase awareness about Chagas disease: Chagas disease, predominantly affecting impoverished populations in Latin America, is increasingly spreading across continents. With 6-7 million infections globally and significant mortality rates, it poses a substantial public health threat. An estimated 12,000 people die from Chagas disease every year, and about 75 million people are at risk of acquiring the disease.

Unite and act against Chagas disease: From policymakers to partners, donors and academia, concerted efforts are needed to strengthen access to early diagnosis, safe treatment, lifelong care, as well as robust surveillance systems and screening, starting at the primary care level. More investments on research & development for medicines and diagnostics are imperative for combating Chagas disease effectively.

Support people with Chagas disease: Often referred to as a "silent disease” as the infected majority have no symptoms (or mild symptoms), Chagas disease mostly affects marginalized and impoverished communities. Promoting initiatives to overcome barriers to healthcare access for marginalized populations affected by the disease, as well as advocating for comprehensive care and support systems will improve outcomes for all affected individuals and their families.

Address stigma and discrimination: Stigmatization isolates sufferers, hindering timely diagnosis and treatment. It’s time to end any kind of stigmatization, discrimination or negligence against people with Chagas disease.

Call for action

 

 

 


General public, health professionals, communities, patient groups...

  1. Share accurate, evidence-based and updated information about risks associated with Chagas disease.
  2. Talk about Chagas diseases, without pointing to locations or ethnicity of people affected by the disease.
  3. Be empathetic towards people infected with Chagas disease. 

 

 


Policy makers

  1. Increase investments in capacity and resources towards prevention, diagnosis, control, surveillance and screening, starting at primary healthcare level.
  2. Be aware that risk of infection is not limited to areas where bugs are found – transmission can also occur by transfusion of blood and blood products, organ transplantation, congenital routes, oral/foodborne routes and laboratory accident.
  3. Include Chagas disease among policies related to migrants’ health. 


 

 

 

 


Partners and donors

  1. Advocate for early detection, care, epidemiological surveillance, and increased investment, starting at primary healthcare level
  2. Increase investments and work with governments and local health authorities towards funding access to early diagnosis, safe treatment, care, surveillance and screening, starting at primary care level.


 

 

 


Academia and researchers

  1. More research is needed on effective diagnostics and medicines, and on cost-effective interventions for vector control, hygiene and food safety. 


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