World Chagas Diseases Day 2025; April 14th.

FORUM: ‘‘Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s role in Chagas disease.“ World Chagas Disease 2025. In 2025 we are shining a spotlight on Chagas disease, the suffering it causes and are calling for equitable access to health care and services for everyone affected by the disease. Chagas disease is prevalent among poor populations of continental Latin America but is increasingly being detected in other countries and continents. It is often termed as a “silent and silenced disease” as the majority of infected people have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. There are approximately 6-7 million people infected with Chagas disease worldwide, with 10,000 deaths, every year. Early detection is key as Chagas disease is curable when treatment is provided soon after infection. If this does not happen because of delayed diagnosis, the infection can transform into a life-threatening condition. In this case, adequate care throughout life is essential. Detection, treatment and monitoring of the disease can be carried out at primary health-care level in most cases. To mark the day, let's take action by:
Increasing awareness about Chagas disease: Chagas disease, predominantly affecting impoverished populations in Latin America, is increasingly spreading across continents. With 7 million infections globally and significant mortality rates, it poses a substantial public health threat. An estimated 10,000 people die from Chagas disease every year, and over 100 million people are at risk of acquiring the disease.
Uniting and acting against Chagas disease: Effective prevention and control of Chagas disease requires united, well-trained, and up-to-date health professionals collaborating closely with communities and civil society to address its complex biomedical, social, and environmental challenges.
Supporting people with Chagas disease: Promoting initiatives to overcome barriers to healthcare access for marginalized populations affected by the disease, as well as advocating for comprehensive care and support systems will improve outcomes for all affected individuals and their families.
Addressing stigma and discrimination: Stigmatization isolates sufferers, hindering timely diagnosis and treatment. Ending stigmatization, discrimination or negligence is essential to ensuring proper care for people with Chagas disease.

Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #14April, #Healthequity, #WorldChagasDiseaseDay.

EVENTS: The WHO and the PAHO will hold an online event to mark the World Chagas Disease 2025 under the slogan “Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s role in Chagas disease.“ the event will seek to give visibility and attention to Chagas and raise the level of awareness in everyone about the importance of improving early detection, expanding diagnostic coverage and equitable access to clinical care for the disease. The WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls for global action to end Chagas Disease through prevention, cross-sector collaboration, and equitable access to care.

WEBINARS: On April 14th, 2025, starting at 11:00 am. – US Eastern Time; 12:00 pm. - Argentina 10:00 am. - Colombia; 09:00 a.m. – Mexico and Central America. You are invited to participate to the virtual event, this conversation with people from different sectors, whose contributions and perspectives will seek to enrich and exchange the perceptions and concepts of this problem, beyond the biomedical approach. We will have representatives from the world of cinema, anthropology, journalism and medicine. Join us and help us broaden and expand awareness about this disease to detect it early and give the comprehensive care that affected people need.

STATEMENTS: Watch the Message from the WHO Director General on World Chagas Diseases Day 2025; April 14th 

The Statement of the PAHO Regional Director on behalf World Chagas Disease Day 2025; April 14th.

CALL TO ACTION

Early detection is key as Chagas disease is curable when treatment is provided soon after infection. If this does not happen because of delayed diagnosis, the infection can transform into a life-threatening condition. In this case, adequate care throughout life is essential. Detection, treatment and monitoring of the disease can be carried out at primary health-care level in most cases.

To mark the day, let's take action by

Increasing awareness about Chagas disease: Chagas disease, predominantly affecting impoverished populations in Latin America, is increasingly spreading across continents. With 7 million infections globally and significant mortality rates, it poses a substantial public health threat. An estimated 10,000 people die from Chagas disease every year, and over 100 million people are at risk of acquiring the disease.

Uniting and acting against Chagas disease: Effective prevention and control of Chagas disease requires united, well-trained, and up-to-date health professionals collaborating closely with communities and civil society to address its complex biomedical, social, and environmental challenges.

Supporting people with Chagas disease: Promoting initiatives to overcome barriers to healthcare access for marginalized populations affected by the disease, as well as advocating for comprehensive care and support systems will improve outcomes for all affected individuals and their families.

Addressing stigma and discrimination: Stigmatization isolates sufferers, hindering timely diagnosis and treatment. Ending stigmatization, discrimination or negligence is essential to ensuring proper care for people with Chagas disease.

The role of public, health professionals, communities, patient groups and associations...

1. Share accurate, evidence-based and updated information about risks associated with Chagas disease.
2. Talk about Chagas diseases, without pointing to locations or ethnicity of people affected by the disease.
3. Be empathetic towards people infected with Chagas disease.

The role of Policy makers

1. Increase investments in capacity and resources towards prevention, diagnosis, management, control, surveillance and screening, starting at primary healthcare level.
2. Be aware that risk of infection is not limited to areas where bugs are found – transmission can also occur by transfusion of blood and blood products, organ transplantation, congenital routes, oral/foodborne routes and laboratory accident.
3. Include Chagas disease in policies related to migration and health.

The role of Partners and donors

1. Advocate for prevention of transmission, early detection, care, epidemiological surveillance, and increased investment, starting at primary healthcare level.
2. Increase investments and work with governments and local health authorities towards funding access to early diagnosis, safe treatment, care, surveillance and screening, starting at primary care level.

The role of Academia and researchers

1. More research is needed on quality diagnostics and medicines, and on cost-effective interventions for vector control, hygiene and food safety.

CAMPAIGN: Calling on global leaders and citizens to defeat Chagas disease; Join the campaign!

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS  Join Get the digital assets and campaign materials!

World Chagas Disease 2024; April 14th.

FORUM: ‘‘Early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.“ World Chagas Disease 2024. The slogan this year aims to raise awareness among patients, their families and health workers about the need for early (timely) diagnosis and lifelong follow-up of people affected by the disease. In many countries, there are low detection rates (<10%, frequently <1%) and frequent barriers to access adequate healthcare. Chagas disease is prevalent among poor populations of continental Latin America but is increasingly being detected in other countries and continents. It is often termed as a “silent and silenced disease” as the majority of infected people have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. There are approximately 6-7 million people infected with Chagas disease worldwide, with 10,000 deaths, every year. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #14April, #WorldChagasDiseaseDay.

EVENTS: The WHO and the PAHO will hold an online event to mark the World Chagas Disease 2024 under the slogan ‘‘Early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.“ the events will seek to give visibility and attention to Chagas and raise the level of awareness in everyone about the importance of improving early detection, expanding diagnostic coverage and equitable access to clinical care for the disease.

WEBINARS: On April 10th, 2024, starting at 11:00 am. – US Eastern Time; 12:00 pm. - Argentina 10:00 am. - Colombia; 09:00 a.m. – Mexico and Central America. You are invited to participate to the virtual event entitled ''Chagas exists and we can eliminate it.", this conversation with people from different sectors, whose contributions and perspectives will seek to enrich and exchange the perceptions and concepts of this problem, beyond the biomedical approach. We will have representatives from the world of cinema, anthropology, journalism and medicine. Join us and help us broaden and expand awareness about this disease to detect it early and give the comprehensive care that affected people need. The webinar will be streamed by the PAHO. Watch the webinar!

STATEMENTS: Read the Message from the WHO Director General on World Chagas Diseases Day 2024; April 14th and the Statement of the PAHO Regional Director on behalf World Chagas Disease Day 2024; April 14.

World Chagas Disease Day 2023; April 14th.

 

FORUM: "Time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care." World Chagas Disease Day 2023.

14 April is World Chagas Disease Day, #Chagasdisease or American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it's time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care.

EVENTS: World Chagas Disease Day 2023. Chagas Disease affects over 7 million people worldwide and is one of Latin America's most prevalent public health problems. The World Chagas Day is coming! So many great events are being planned.

WEBINARS: 

Día Mundial de la Enfermedad de Chagas 2023;Lema del Día Mundial de la Enfermedad de Chagas 2023: Es hora de integrar la atención de la enfermedad de Chagas a la red primaria de salud. Webinario por una infancia libre de chagas congenito - WHO/PAHO.

INTERACTIVE DISCCUSSION: Voices of Chagas disease: Patients and physicians discuss the barriers to care in the United States.

Join us on April 11th at 2pm CST for a great an interactive discussion about #Chagas in the US including with some who are living the disease!

Ending the neglect of Chagas disease in the UK. LSHTM 

Join us for an afternoon exploring Chagas disease in the UK, bringing into sharp focus the neglect of this condition and the need to work with communities to design and deliver innovative and impactful public health action.

The symposium will feature international experts describing the global challenges we face in trying to eliminate this neglected tropical disease, updates on hot topics in Chagas research and community perspectives from ongoing Chagas work in London. The talks (see speakers below) will be followed by a musical reception with renowned Bolivian artist, Phaxsi Coca.

Capacity is limited, so reserve your free ticket now. This is an in-person event - it will be recorded and available on the LSHTM and UK Chagas Hub websites.
Schedule of talks, 2-5pm:

1. Pedro Albajar Viñas (World Health Organisation): A global view of Chagas disease and plans for its elimination
2. Cathy McIlwaine (King's College London): Latin American migration to London
3. Natalie Elkheir (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine): Co-producing community screening initiatives
4. María-Jesús Pinazo (DNDi): New treatments for Chagas disease
5. Michael Lewis, Matthew Yeo, Tapan Bhattacharrya, Archie Khan & Luke Brander-Garrod (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine): Chagas research highlights from LSHTM
6. Claudia Turbet-Delof (Hackney Councillor): Closing remarks

Talks followed by a music reception with Phaxsi Coca

PUBLICATIONS

Frequency Variation and Dose Modification of Benznidazole Administration for the Treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Mice, Dogs, and Nonhuman Primates | Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

The process that led to the development of the benzoxaborole AN15368 and discusses effective Drug Discovery in Chagas Disease.

A Data-Driven Approach to Construct a Molecular Map of Trypanosoma cruzi to Identify Drugs and Vaccine Targets.

Decálogo para la toma de decisiones sobre la prevención, el control y la atención de la enfermedad de Chagas

World Chagas Diseases Day 2021, April 14

FORUM: "Comprehensive and equitable health care and services for all" World Chagas Disease Day 2021.

                              

Since 2020, World Chagas Disease Day is celebrated every 14 April, after the approval and endorsement received by the World Health Assembly at WHO, in May 2019. One of the objectives of this event is give visibility and attention to the importance that this disease has in the public and individual health of the countries affected by it, and at the same time, give the opportunity to people who have Chagas disease to express their voice and needs, in addition to raising awareness to society about the disease and describe the resources needed to prevent, control and eliminate it when possible.

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, has been classified as a "silent and silenced disease", not only because of its slow and frequently asymptomatic clinical course, but also because it mainly affects disadvantaged populations with restricted access to health care and other basic services. It is estimated that, in the Americas, there are about 6 to 8 million people infected with the parasite that causes the disease, most of whom are unaware of their condition. It is also estimated that in the Americas there are more than one million women of childbearing age who could be infected and who run the risk of perpetuating the annual occurrence of thousands of newborns who arrive in the world already infected by congenital transmission.

For the year 2021, within the framework of this celebration, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) seek to prioritize sensitization and awareness about Chagas disease among the Latin American media.

                        

The media can be great allies in the dissemination of truthful information to different groups of the population, including people at risk of infection. Chagas is a neglected disease, and therefore goes even more unnoticed than other diseases that are on the agenda of the media, either due to the political, economic and social situation, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. .

That is why PAHO, with the support of allies such as the Chagas Coalition, Florida International University, University of Chile, the What are we talking about when we talk about Chagas group? and the Medicines for Neglected Diseases Initiative, considered it necessary to carry out specific activities aimed at exchanging information, opinions and experience with journalists, so that they, in turn, can better recognize and disseminate the importance of covering this disease as a problem. of public health in our Region.

Key messages / call to action

• The general public: young people, patients, etc .:

Sensitization:

1) 2021: focus attention on Chagas disease, the suffering it causes, and advocate for comprehensive and universal care for all those affected by the disease.

2) The prevalence of Chagas disease mainly among the poor populations of continental Latin America; it is being detected more frequently in other countries and continents. It is estimated that worldwide between 10,000 and 12,000 people die a year.

3) Chagas disease is often called "a silent and silenced disease" since most of those infected are asymptomatic (or have mild symptoms). Furthermore, it mainly affects the poor who have no political voice and no access to health care. Currently, 67 million people in the Americas are at risk of infection.

4) It is time to end the stigmatization and discrimination of people affected by Chagas disease.

Call to action:

5) Chagas disease is often undiagnosed or diagnosed at an advanced stage. If you live or have traveled to an area with risk of transmission of Chagas disease, or if you have any symptoms, consult your doctor.

6) To prevent infection, protect yourself and your home from insects known as vinchucas, bed bugs, chirimachas, or Triatominae.

7) Please show affection and love towards infected people. Do not discriminate!

• Health workers and health collaborators

Sensitization:

1) Chagas disease patients need equitable access to safe treatment and care.

2) Joint efforts should be made globally to raise awareness of the extent of disease, suffering, disability and death associated with Chagas disease.

Call to action:

3) Early diagnosis and effective life-saving treatment.

4) Chagas disease patients should be prioritized for vaccination against COVID-19.

5) The implementation of control measures can eliminate domiciliary, transfusion, organ transplant and congenital vector transmission.

• Decision makers

Sensitization:

1) It is estimated that more than 10,000 people die each year due to the clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, and about 75 million people in the world are at risk of contracting the disease. In the fight against Chagas disease, achieving universal health coverage is essential.

Call to action:

2) Countries should increase capacity and resources to invest in diagnosis, control, prevention, surveillance, treatment, and clinical care.

3) Patients with Chagas disease should be prioritized for vaccination against COVID-19.

                              

ACTIVITIES: Commemoration of World Chagas Disease Day 2021.

1. Chagas: there are many more stories to tell Dialogue with journalists

Informative meeting and dialogue with selected journalists on Chagas disease in its different aspects (epidemiology, impact on health, multidimensionality, affected countries, etc.). The objective is to present to the participating media and journalists the challenge of visibility that Chagas disease faces in the current situation to increase the knowledge and visibility of this disease from updated and multidimensional approaches that do not deepen the stigmatization of people and contexts mainly affected. Update and generate spaces and resources to optimize the work of communication in the media on issues such as Chagas, through a call for journalists

Participants:

Selected journalists from Latin American media specialists in Chagas disease, Florida International University, Chagas Coalition, What are we talking about when we talk about Chagas group? University of Chile, DNDi and the Pan American Health Organization.

Virtual meeting, to be held on April 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (US Eastern time) and aims to generate ideas that help better coverage of the subject as a priority of international public health, so that the population in general and health providers, obtain more accurate and quality information to participate more actively in advocacy and communication on Chagas. To register for the meeting access:

2. Educational Video on Chagas: launched April 14 on the web and social networks

3. Live FB Session: Let's Talk About Chagas. April 15 11:00 a.m. EDT

Experts, patients and civil society come together in this dialogue on Chagas to learn more about this neglected disease.