Three new studies propose that the inhabitants of the Southern U.S. may be at a very high risk of the parasitic infection that is leading to severe coronary diseases and death. It is a disease that is silently killing so many and spreading very fast across the U.S. So far, the disease has no known vaccine and everyone is at risk.

The chagas disease, transmitted by the triatomine bugs commonly referred to as “Kissing bugs”, was once thought to be only limited to Mexico South and Central America. This is not the case anymore as the bugs are now transmitting the tropical disease in the U.S.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 300,000 people have been infected in the United States and this number is still growing. These kissing bugs are normally found across the lower half of the U.S.

The insects feed on people and animals just after sun set. They are attracted by the odors people exhale, skin odors, light in the houses and the body warmth. It is important to note that the disease is normally caused by a parasite known as Trypanosoma cruzi that is spread via the feces of the bugs.

The onset symptoms of the disease include fatigue, fever, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and rash according to the CDC. After this stage, people then enter in a prolonged asymptomatic state as there are few parasites in the blood.

At this stage, the disease can be transmitted through blood and organ donations. Over time, the disease causes intestinal complications as well as heart failure. Over 21000 deaths annually result from this disease in Mexico, South and Central America.

The worrying fact is that there is no known vaccine for the disease but can be treated under special protocols. Using insect repellent can be a first step of avoiding the Chaga disease.