A group of scientists have called for the potentially dangerous Chagas “kissing bug” disease to be considered endemic to the United States as more animals and humans are becoming infected, including in Missouri.

The scientists, from research institutions in Texas and Florida, made their case in an article published in the September issue of the peer-reviewed Emerging Infectious Diseases journal published monthly by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chagas disease is caused by the microscopic parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which makes its way into humans via triatomine insects, several species of which are common across 32 southern states, according to the article.

The blood-sucking insects are known as kissing bugs because they tend to make their way into homes and b

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