World Chagas Disease Day
14 April 2022
Finding and reporting every case to defeat Chagas disease
In 2022 we are shining a spotlight on Chagas disease, the suffering it causes and are calling for equitable access to health care and services for everyone affected by the disease. The theme for 2022 is finding and reporting every case to defeat Chagas disease. In many countries, there are low detection rates (<10%, frequently <1%) and frequent barriers to access adequate healthcare.
Chagas disease is prevalent among poor populations of continental Latin America but is increasingly being detected in other countries and continents.
It is often termed as a “silent and silenced disease” as the infected majority have no symptoms or extremely mild symptom. There are approximately 6-7 million people infected with Chagas disease worldwide, with 10,000 deaths, every year.
Message from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO
6–7 million infected, worldwide
Approximately 10,000 disease-related deaths, every year
30,000-40,000 new cases every year
Campaign materials
Mother and daughter during the World Chagas Day in Cusco, Peru
- General public
- Policy makers
- Partners and donors
- Academia and researchers
- Health workers and health partners
Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis)
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi).
More on Chagas disease
Chagas Disease Facts
in pictures
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi).
Mayerlin is free of the parasite that causes the disease. The effectiveness of the treatment is greater in children and in adult patients diagnosed at an early stage.
Feature story: She is one of 39,000
Her name is Mayerlín. She is seven years old and she should not be one of the 39,000 people in the world who will contract Chagas disease this year, and every year.
"Triatomines - Vector of disease" It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the main triatomine species related to the transmission of chagas disease.
Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty.
Chagas / Fighting a silence disease
There are more than seven million people at risk of contracting the silent disease known as Chagas in Latin America. Scientists and professionals, families, children, and community leaders are working together to prevent Chagas Disease in southern Ecuador.
This short video gives voice to those people working with the Healthy Living Initiative, a joint project of Ohio University and Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. The Healthy Living Initiative’s aim is to control Chagas Disease.
