RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Health officials are sharing information on a disease called Chagas, an illness spread by “kissing bugs,” that is present in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports around 280,000 people in the United States have it but usually have no idea.

Some people are concerned about the presence of the disease.

However, health officials say there is no immediate need for alarm.

Dr. Eleanor Labgold is an entomologist for the Virginia Department of Health.

Labgold says, “When talking with state health experts, they tell me there’s no reason to panic. So far, there’s only been reported cases of Chagas disease in animals here in Virginia, not humans, but they say it is still important to know what it is and what to look out for.”

Labgold say

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