Chagas added to county's list of reportable diseases

County Public Health officials have added Chagas disease to the local reportable diseases list ahead of World Chagas Disease Day.

Conditions on the reportable disease list are either contagious, severe or are seen more frequently and require health providers to alert local or state public health officials when they come up.

The County joined other public health agencies in California in making Chagas disease reportable.

Chagas disease is caused by an insect called a triatomine or kissing bug that is carrying a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. When these bugs bite and release feces into the w...