Kissing Bugs and Chagas Disease Risk

Desert nights are heating up, and so are the chances of encountering kissing bugs—those creepy crawlers that bite while you sleep. While most bites are harmless, some carry a dangerous parasite that can lead to Chagas disease, which affects the heart and digestive system. The bug doesn’t transmit the illness through its bite—it’s the droppings near the bite that pose a risk. If you spot one, don’t handle it bare-handed—bag it up and contact Pima County Health Department, which is testing bugs and tracking cases. So far this year, only seven bugs have been submitted, and just two have tested positive since 2023. No local Chagas cases reported in years. For bite concerns or bug sightings, call 527-247-797. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5319afb27ab6de13