Migration and the Movement of Infectious Diseases: Chagas Disease

Since initiation of voluntary blood screening for Chagas disease in 2007, nearly 800 cases of confirmed Chagas disease have been detected at United States blood centers. The greatest numbers of positive donors, now deferred from donation, have been identified in those states with the largest populations of Latin American immigrants, but this map illustrates that positive cases can occur anywhere. NCZVED works with NCPDCID’s office of Blood, Organ, and other Tissue safety and external partners to monitor Chagas disease and to implement programs for preventing transfusion/transplant-associated cases.

Blood donors confirmed positive for Chagas Disease, 2007-2009*, n=792

18 Million People in the U.S. Born in Mexico, Central and South America

Population migration can have a profound impact on movement of infectious diseases. This map illustrates the relative magnitude of movement of persons from Chagas endemic countries, including an estimated 18 million to the United States.