World Chagas Day observed on the 14th of April

Highlights:

• World Chagas Day is observed annually on the 14th of April. 
• This day is celebrated to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease that can cause digestive and heart issues.
• This disease is also known as the American trypanosomiasis, silenced disease, or silent disease.
• This disease is caused by the parasite named Trypanosoma crizu.
• Through the triatomine bug, also known as the kissing bug, this parasite is transmitted to humans.
• The impoverished people who live in rural areas under poor hygienic conditions are the ones most affected by this disease.
• This disease is more prone to the people in regions like Mexico, Central America, and South America.

• On 14th April 2020, this day was first observed with the aim of generating awareness regarding the people that are suffering from the disease. 
• The date 14th April was chosen to observe this day as on this date in the year 1990 the first case of Chagas disease in a human was reported.
• This disease can be transmitted to humans in various ways such as eating uncooked or partially cooked food that has been contaminated by the faeces of the infected bug, coming in contact with wild animals that have been infected with the parasite, and during blood transfusion from an infected person.