Are " kissing bugs ," the bugs that transmit a potentially deadly parasitic disease that has been spreading in the U.S., in Illinois?

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month suggests there is growing evidence challenging the label of the U.S. as non-endemic.

So where are the bugs found, what is chagas disease and how worried should you be?

Here's what to know:

What are "kissing bugs"?

"Kissing bugs," also known as trypanosoma cruzi, are a parasite found in the feces of the triatomine insect. The insects hide in cracks in walls or ceilings during the day and come out at night to feed on blood, often biting people while they sleep.

They are often referred to as "kissing bugs" because they typically bite people's faces.

What is Chagas disease?

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