Reports of a potentially disease-carrying bug are spreading across the country

Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 10:25 AM

By The Center for Disease Control and Protection

Known as the deadly “kissing bugs.”

 Reports of a potentially disease-carrying bug are spreading across the country.

The Center for Disease Control and Protection recently issued a warning about triatomine bugs, better known as deadly “kissing bugs.”

They’ve been spotted in 12 different states, including Indiana.

They’re known to crawl around the mouth and eyes, biting people while they sleep.

They can also transmit a disease called “chagas.” Some of the symptoms of chagas are fever, fatigue, swelling, and a rash, but it can be more serious causing strokes or even heart failure. Over time, it can cause nerve damage.

Your pets aren’t safe from the triatomine either, as Chagas can give them heart disease.

But the bug has to bite a person or animal already infected with chagas to share it, and officials say Indiana has never reported a case of the disease.

More from Local News

Events

Local News

Investigations by AG’s Office Uncover Nearly $11 Million in National Health Care Fraud Takedown

Kentucky was one of 45 states to take part in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown

AAA Projects 72.2 Million Will Travel for Fourth of July

This year’s Independence Day forecast is slightly higher than 2025

Former Argosy Casino Riverboat Now on the Bottom of the Gulf

The riverboat was intentionally sunk to create one of the largest reef sites off the coast of Alabama