By the Numbers
An estimated 300,000 infected people are living in the United States. Most came into the U.S. after contracting the disease elsewhere.
Nationally, it’s estimated that one in every 27,500 blood donors test positive for Chagas disease.
Between 2008-2012, about one in every 6,500 blood donors in Texas tested positive for the parasite that causes Chagas.
Research shows 60% of bugs tested positive with the Chagas Parasite.
66% of bugs tested had human blood.
Source: Centers for Disease Control; Baylor College of Medicine’s Cardiovascular Research Institute; Researchers at Texas &M Veterinary School
Credit: Cynthia Andrews/NBC