Dangerous ‘Kissing Bug’ Threatens Louisiana

Although the name may sound it, It's not a cutesy bug at all. The Center for Disease Control is warning people to keep an eye out for this insect that could carry a fatal disease.

The triatomine bug, which is capable of passing on Chagas disease, has been reported in 28 states. Five of these states, Louisiana being one of them, have reported Chagas disease. California, Louisiana, Tennesse, Mississippi and Texas have "recorded transmission of the disease in the U.S."

The bug generally bites around the face and lips, hence the name "kissing bug." The bite alone isn't enough to transfer the disease. The bug bites humans or animals, and then defecates into the wound.

Symptoms of Chagas disease can include fever, rash, diarrhea, fatigue vomiting, and in severe cases heart failure and intestinal damage. The most recognized marker of Chagas disease is the “Romana’s sign” which includes the swelling of the eyelids on the side of the face near the bite wound.

The bug is mostly nocturnal. During the day, it hides out "in cracks, in wood, brush piles, beneath porches, under cement, in dog houses and rodent nests."

The CDC doesn't recommend touching or squashing the bug. They recommend placing a container on top of it, and then filling it with rubbing alcohol, or freezing the bug. They then ask that you contact a health department if one is available, or contact the CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria at parasites@cdc.gov or by phone at 404-718-4745 so that they can run proper testing.

So as not to put too much fear out there, there have only been 30 people nationwide that have contracted Chagas disease since 1955.