Problems and perspectives for Chagas disease control: in search of a realistic analysis

Chagas disease was an important medical and social problem in almost all of Latin America throughout the twentieth century. It has been combated over a broad swath of this continent over recent decades, with very satisfactory results in terms of vector and transfusional transmission. Today, a survei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2008-03, Vol.41 (2), p.193-196
Main Authors: Dias, João Carlos Pinto, Prata, Aluizio, Correia, Dalmo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Chagas Disease - epidemiology
Chagas Disease - prevention & control
Chagas Disease - transmission
Disease control
Humans
Insect Control
Insect Vectors
Latin America
National Health Programs
Social conditions
TROPICAL MEDICINE
Vector-borne diseases
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Summary:Chagas disease was an important medical and social problem in almost all of Latin America throughout the twentieth century. It has been combated over a broad swath of this continent over recent decades, with very satisfactory results in terms of vector and transfusional transmission. Today, a surveillance stage still remains to be consolidated, in parallel with appropriate care required for some millions of infected individuals who are today living in endemic and non-endemic areas. Contradictorily, the good results attained have generated excessive optimism and even disregard among health authorities, in relation to this disease and its control. The loss of visibility and priority may be a logical consequence, particularly in Latin American healthcare systems that are still disorganized and overburdened due to insufficiencies of financial and human resources. Consolidation of the victories against Chagas disease is attainable but depends on political will and continual attention from the most consequential protagonists in this struggle, especially the Latin American scientific community.
ISSN:0037-8682
1678-9849
0037-8682
1678-9849
DOI:10.1590/S0037-86822008000200012