What Happens to Blood Donors Who Test Positive for Chagas Disease?

Fast Facts • CDC estimates 300,000 or more Trypanosoma cruzi-infected individuals of Hispanic origin currently live in the United States. • Despite being counseled to seek medical care, only approximately 11% of Chagas seropositive blood donors have contacted CDC for consultation regarding treatment. • Chagas disease may be life threatening even when the patient feels well. Evaluation and treatment can be life saving.

Chagas Disease Background Blood Donor Screening • Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi • Screening of the U.S. blood supply for and is transmitted by infected insects called triatomines Chagas disease began in early 2007, • Chagas disease can also be transmitted by blood transfusion, leading to increased identification of organ transplantation, congenital exposure, lab accidents, and people with Chagas disease contaminated food and drink • It is estimated that 1 in every 27,500 • Chagas disease is endemic throughout much of Mexico, donors tests positive for Chagas Central America, and South America, where an estimated disease nationwide: 8–11 million persons are infected »» Majority of U.S. states have identified • Chagas disease can include cardiac and gastrointestinal seropositive donors manifestations »» Updated count of identified donors by state is available at the AABB • There is a small risk of acquiring Chagas disease through Chagas Biovigilance Network website infected triatomine bugs in the U.S. http://www.aabb.org/research/ • The parasite, vectors, and infected animals have been found in hemovigilance/Pages/chagas.aspx many parts of the southern United States

Are Positive Blood Possible Barriers Physician Lack of Resources for Chagas Donors Receiving Preventing Positive Awareness of Disease Blood Donor Evaluation and Donors from Chagas Disease Counseling in the Treatment? Seeking Evaluation • Survey of American United States • Treatment may prevent and Treatment College of Obstetrics • Fact sheets and additional and Gynecology (ACOG) progression to more • There is very limited resources are available at members: serious disease awareness of Chagas www.cdc.gov/chagas • Since blood donor disease among patients »» Most members described • You may contact your local screening began, the their knowledge of health department regarding: • Many patients believe Chagas disease as very number of requests to there is no effective limited »» Resources available for CDC for consultation positive donors treatment »» Most members reported and drug release for • Many patients have never considering the »» Referral to local physician Chagas disease has limited or no health diagnosis of Chagas • CDC services, including increased markedly insurance coverage disease among patients physician consultation, testing, • However, only from endemic countries • Language barriers exist, and treatment are available approximately 11% of as many patients speak • Survey of members of »» By phone (404) 718-4745 positive donors or their only Spanish MedscapeCME, a leading or email to [email protected] physicians have provider of online clinical • There may be patient contacted CDC for and medical information concern about consultation regarding for physicians and other immigration status treatment healthcare professionals, • There is a lack of indicated: awareness of Chagas »» Substantial knowledge disease among deficits, especially physicians among obstetricians and gynecologists

CS293368A July 19, 2018