Parasitic Infections in the United States

 

Parasitic infections are often associated with tropical areas. However, these infections are also present in the United States.

Parasitic diseases in the United States that are priorities for public health action are based on the

  • Number of people infected,
  • Severity of the illnesses, and
  • Ability to prevent and treat them.

These diseases include Chagas disease, cyclosporiasis, cysticercosis, toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis, and trichomoniasis.

Anyone can become infected although certain racial or ethnic minority groups, persons born outside the United States, and people with lower incomes appear to be most at risk.

CDC is working to protect people from these health threats by

  • Increasing awareness among physicians and the public,
  • Conducting surveillance for these diseases,
  • Synthesizing the existing data to help better understand these infections,
  • Improving diagnostic testing, and
  • Advising on treatment, including providing otherwise unavailable drugs for selected parasitic infections.

Fact Sheets
Parasitic Infections in the United States
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Parasitic Infections in the United States: Chagas Disease
chagas factsheet thumbnail

Parasitic Infections in the United States: Neurocysticercosis
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Parasitic Infections in the United States: Toxoplasmosis
toxoplasmosis_factsheet

Parasitic Infections in the United States: Trichomoniasis
trichomoniasis_factsheet

Parasitic Infections in the United States: Toxocariasis
toxocariasis_factsheet thumbnail

Page last reviewed: November 20, 2020