Researchers looking at Chagas disease , also known as "kissing bug" disease, say the infection should be considered endemic in the United States, but Michigan residents may not have to worry about Chagas unless they travel.

In a recently published study, researchers from the University of Florida, Texas A&M University, the University of California and the Texas Department of State Health Services argue that Chagas disease, a disease transmitted by the bloodsucking "kissing bug," has a high enough presence in the United States to be considered endemic, or a regularly occurring disease.

Since 2013, Texas A&M University's Kissing Bug Community Science program has received reports of about 10,000 "kissing bugs" in 31 states. About 50% of a tested subset of the bugs was found positive for t

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