Deadly ‘kissing bug’ disease is spreading in the U.S. Texas has the most cases
The Centers for Disease Control reports that Chagas disease, which comes from the deadly kissing bug, is noted as an emerging endemic in the U.S., and cases are most prevalent in Texas.
The insect has been reported in 32 states, with eight of those states reporting cases of Chagas disease. Besides Texas, Chagas is present in California, Arizona, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas.
According to the CDC, 280,000 people in the U.S. have the disease. And the Texas Department of State Health Services reports that between 2013 and 2016, 91 cases of Chagas disease were reported. However, they also note that many people have the disease and may not know it.
While there have been a few reported cases of Chagas disease in Tarrant and Dallas counties, the majority of cases are in south and east Texas. Cases that are recorded in Texas, don’t always mean they were acquired in Texas.
However, since this endemic is emerging, here’s some things you should know about the deadly kissing bug and Chagas disease.
What is the deadly kissing bug?
The deadly kissing bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. Texas A&M research shows that about 50 percent of kissing bugs are infected with this parasite.
A human infection is caused by the kissing bug biting a human and then dropping some infected feces. If a human scratches or rubs the wound, they could potentially be rubbing the feces into the bite, which would then infect the cut in the human’s skin. The infection does not come from the bug’s saliva — only from its feces.
According to Texas A&M, the insect gets its “kissing bug” nickname because it commonly bites humans around their mouths and eyes. However, the bugs will bite anywhere they can get to.
The bugs are attracted to lights at night. They are commonly around the size of a quarter, with an ovular flat black body and red and order stripes on their sides.
What is Chagas disease?
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite present in deadly kissing bugs.
According to Texas A&M, there are two stages to the disease: acute and chronic phases.
The acute phase is the most noticeable and can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. While some people may not experience any symptoms at all, those who do experience symptoms during the acute phase would feel:
- fever
- tiredness
- body aches
- headache
- rash
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
The chronic phase is developed by one in three people who contract the disease. This phase can take years to decades to develop and can give humans heart and digestive issues.
Is there a vaccine for Chagas disease?
There is currently no vaccine for Chagas disease.
However, doctors do have treatment options for patients with the disease. Medicines can kill the infection and ease symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How to avoid Deadly Kissing Bugs/Chagas disease
The ideal way to avoid contact with a contaminated Deadly Kissing Bug would be to try and avoid contact with insects overall. But since that may not be possible, the CDC suggests:
- Be careful while traveling, especially to Mexico or South America, by staying in well-built spaces.
- Use insecticides and bug spray when outdoors.
- Wear clothes that fully cover your skin.
- Do not eat raw fruits and vegetables (you may eat contaminated produce and contract the disease through the mouth).
- Tighten up your house and seal windows, doors and any holes.
- Keep areas around the house tidy. No nests, clear piles of branches or wood and no trash.
- Keep lights off outside at night.
- Use an exterminator if you notice any kissing bugs around your house.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM.