Earlier this year, researchers revealed what they believed to be the first incident of Chagas disease to affect a horse in North America. Chagas disease is a neurological disease common to dogs in South America. The disease is caused by a protozoa, a tiny organism called Trypanosoma cruzi. T. Cruzi is shed in the excrement of an insect called a kissing bug. Kissing bugs are also known as conenose bugs, assassin bugs, chinches or vampire bugs. These icky little critters are biters - and called kissing bugs because they like to bite around the mouth area of their victim. But their poop is the real danger. Horses may pick up T. Curzi by eating a bug, or if the bug droppings come in contact with mucous membranes such as in the mouth or nostrils. Pets like dogs and wildlife like foxes, raccoons and opossums can get Chagas by eating the bugs themselves. It is also possible for humans to get Chagas disease.
The early symptoms of Chagas disease are very similar to others and can be easily confused with diseases like West Nile Virus and Equine Protozoal Myloenchphalitis. The horse in Texas was first treated for EPM, a disease caused by an organism carried by opossums. The early stages of the disease appeared to be the same. The ten year old gelding came to veterinarians with ataxia - the inability to control its muscles, and hind leg lameness. The horse received treatment for EPM. However, the horse did not improve with treatment, its condition worsened and it had to be euthanized. The Chagas protozoa was discovered in the horse’s spinal matter after testing for several other diseases that could cause the similar symptoms.
There are two phases to the disease. At first there may be no apparent symptoms, or there may be mild flu-like symptoms that include low grade fever, swollen lymph nodes, poor appetite, digestive distress and humans may report head and body aches. This first stage can last up to 12 weeks. The second phase is called the chronic phase and can last for decades in humans. The long term effects can include an enlarged colon and esophagus and heart. Heart failure, arrhythmias and cardiac arrest can occur. The horse’s heart did not appear affected by the disease as is often seen in humans and dogs.
Chagas disease is difficult to control because so many other mammals can carry the protozoa. Dogs are particularly prone to picking up the disease and it’s a concern in kennels. The environment of kennels can attract kissing bugs and like mosquitoes, are hard to control because as one infestation is controlled, another can fly in. Experts suggest keeping outdoor lights turned off as much as possible, since kissing bugs are attracted to the light at night. The bugs like to live in nooks and crannies, so well sealed buildings and clean, clutter free yards and paddocks will give them fewer places to live. If you find the bugs, you need to be careful about handling them. Unfortunately for humans, pets and wildlife there is no vaccine against Chagas disease.
Do we in North America need to worry about Chagas disease? Probably not yet. But, guarding against biting insects and making our stables and homes less attractive to them makes good sense. Vigilance may help keep these kinds of disease in check.
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