Frequently Asked Questions

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18. What is the estimated number of people infected with the Chagas disease in Latin America?
The estimated number of people infected with Chagas disease in the 21 Latin American disease enedmic countries is approximately 8 million. The countries with the highest number of infected individuals are Brazil (1.9 million) and Argentina (1.6 million). However, the countries with highest prevalence rates (by any transmission route) are Bolivia (6,75%) and Argentina (4,13%).
19. How do these figures compare with other infectious diseases?
An estimated 2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America, which means that the estimated number of people infected with Chagas disease in the region is four times that of HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.
20. How many people die due to the Chagas disease per year?
Causing 14, 000 deaths annually, Chagas disease kills more people in Latin America than any other parasitic disease, including malaria. In the Americas, Chagas disease causes more deaths per year than Hepatitis C (8,000), Hepatitis B (5,000), Malaria (2,000) and Dengue (2,000).
21. What is the economic impact of the Chagas disease?
Chronic Chagas disease results in significant disability with great social and economic impact, including unemployment and decreased earning ability. In Brazil alone, losses of over US$ 1.3 billion in wages and industrial productivity were due to workers with Chagas disease. In addition to the loss in productivity, the medical costs to treat infected individuals who develop severe cardiac or chronic digestive problems is several times this amount.
22. What is the estimated number of people infected with the Chagas disease in non-endemic countries?
Patient numbers are growing in non-endemic and developed countries due to increased population movements. In 2007, approximately 14 million people from Chagas disease endemic countries were living in non-endemic countries. A 2006 study estimated that between 96,631 and 700,712 people may be infected in Australia, Canada, Spain and the United States alone. Australia (2005-6) - 1,067 Canada (2001) - 1,218 Spain (2003) - 6,125 United States - 71,970 - 676,051