Textbooks will tell you that Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a problem for Central and South Americans living in poverty. Eight million to 11 million people are infected worldwide, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
But parasites care little about your bank balance, and although being poor is a risk factor for Chagas disease, the parasite is infecting Texans from all backgrounds.
Chagas is one of about 40 infections known as neglected tropical diseases, so-called because they are largely ignored by governments and drug companies. They infect 1.5 billion people in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
But neglected tropical diseases are right at home in Texas. Rising temperatures, oblivious doctors and high poverty rates mean seven of these infections are already here or fighting to gain a foothold.
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