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Deadly Kissing Bug Spreads in USA: Facts and Pictures

Wealth ManagerLast Updated: September 14, 2024

kissing bug triatoma — Figure 1.2 Kissing Bug in FOCUS

Don’t get bitten by kissing bug. Kissing bugs are deadly, and that’s the reason why you shouldn’t bite by these bugs. They are now spreads to more than half places in US. I wonder why there are many people are searching for an information about “kissing bugs”. The word “kissing bugs” is interesting. I thought it was just another “viral” pictures from different social media. Anyway, I just want to inform you that “kissing bugs” is not an ordinary bug. Read the details I got here from different sources.

Chagas disease (occurs from the southern United States to northern Argentina) is spread by the triatomine bug. The bug nicknamed is “kissing bugs”. This bug carries a parasite Trypanosoma Cruzi. The parasite can cause heart failure. According to CNN, the parasite estimated 11,000 deaths globally each year. (1)

The scientific name of kissing bug is Triatominae and it was classified as “assassin bug”. Kissing bug also known as conenose bug. Kissing bugs are mainly found and widespread in the Americas, with a few species present in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Kissing bugs usually share shelter with nesting vertebrates, from which they suck blood.(2)

Table of Contents:

Kissing Bug Pictures

What Kissing Bugs look likes? Take a look at these Kissing Bug pictures and beware of them. If you found numerous bugs that looks like in the picture below, report them immediately to the authority.

Figure 1.1 Kissing Bug from Tucson, Arizona Figure 1.2 Kissing Bug in FOCUS

Figure 1.3 – Assassin Bug Family

Figure 1.1 & 1.2 Images Courtesy: Glenn Seplak CC 2.0 via Flickr Kissing Bug (Triatoma sp.) Tucson, Arizona
Figure 1.3 : Image Courtesy: gailhampshire on CC 2.0 via Flickr Reduviidae — Assassin Bug Family. ( Kissing Bug?)

Kissing Bugs Bite: Chagas Disease Impacts to Human Health

According to KissingBug.Tamu.Edu, “estimates of human cases of Chagas disease in the US range from 300,000 to over 1 million”, with particular concern for those living in the US/Mexico border regions.” it is important to know that Chagas disease manifest 2 phases (impact to human health); the acute and chronic phases. Acute phase Chagas disease may be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are common for many types of sickness including;

fever
fatigue
body aches
headaches
rash
loss of appetite
diarrhea
vomiting

More Information About Kissing Bugs

Citations and Reference: The following links can help you know more about kissing bugs and the disease it carry.

(1) http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/24/health/kissing-bugs-chagas-disease/

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triatominae

Kissing Bugs and Chagas Disease in the US

Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences | Texas A&M University
Agricultural & Life Sciences | Texas A&M University

(3) http://kissingbug.tamu.edu/

News and Information

Deadly ‘kissing bug’ spreads to more than half of US
It was 7:52 pm of November 24, 2015 when WGNTV.COM published a news about kissing bugs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a deadly insect known as the “kissing bug” has made its way into every southern state, impacting more than half of the United States.

This is worth sharing. I got it in the video shared by WGNTV.com in their post entitled Deadly ‘kissing bug’ spreads to more than half of US;

Kissing bugs hide in cracks or under beds and mattresses, including pet bedding. Then come out at night just like bed bugs. Kissing bugs are hard to kill. Typical bugs sprays do not work. Trap the bug in a jar and drown it in rubbing alcohol or freeze it in a water. ⁽⁴⁾

Watch the video at ⁽⁴⁾ http://wgntv.com/2015/11/24/deadly-kissing-bug-spreads-to-more-than-half-of-us/

Don’t touch the kissing bug. All you need to do when you see kissing bug is to follow the above instruction (Italicized). Whether you’re residing in NC, Georgia or Texas, I hope you get important information.

Did you find this post useful? Then, it is reasonable to share this with your friends and inform them about the deadly kissing bugs. Spread this information to kids and adults. Keep your loved ones safe! If you know other information, do share it in the comment box below.

Wealth ManagerLast Updated: September 14, 2024