What is it about?

This work ishows information of the urban transmission of a pathogenic parasite in the Capital District of Venezuela and shows important information about the potential risk of Chagas' disease infection by inhabitants of Caracas. This work also presents evidences of adaptive changes in the behavior of a so far considered a sylvatic vector of American trypanosomiasis.

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Why is it important?

The results presented in this publication demands preventive actions from health authorities to avoid any possible human infection as unfortunately have happened in the first decade of this century. The risk is even higher if considering the lack of surveillance, control and prevention campaigns of vector born diseases from health organizations, so it is imminent the participation of National and International health organization.

Perspectives

Considering the wide distribution and high rate of infection found in the transmitting vector of Chagas disease in Caracas, it is necessary to carry out a serologic screening in the parishes with higher levels of presence of these insects. At the same time it is very important to find out whether the insects are colonizing humans dwelling and undergoing changes in its behavior that could increase the capacity of transmitting the disease.

Dr. Hernán José Carrasco
Universidad Central de Venezuela

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This page is a summary of: Vector mapping and bloodmeal metabarcoding demonstrate risk of urban Chagas disease transmission in Caracas, Venezuela, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, March 2023, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.
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