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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN According to a statement from the American Heart Association, Chagas disease has been spreading from Central and South America to the U.S. Chagas disease is spread by a bug called the Triatomine bug, also known as the kissing bug, which carries a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi.

According to the CDC, the kissing bug gets infected by biting an infected animal or person.

After getting infected, the bug carries the parasite in its feces.

The infected bug then bites humans around the eyes or mouth, breaking into the skin.

Initial symptoms of Chagas disease include fever, body aches, headaches, rashes etc, however the American Heart Association released a warning saying around 60- 70 percent of people do not develop any symptoms of the disease.

According to the CDC, the infection may result in cardiac complications or intestinal complications for some.

The disease can only be treated with anti-trypanosomal medication.

It also does not spread from person to person or contact with animals.

The American Heart Association released a statement to increase global awareness of the disease in hopes of detecting the disease at an early stage.

RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1.

The Triatomine bug is shown along with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.

2.

The infected bug biting the eyes and lips.

3.

Symptoms of Chagas disease.

4.

Anti-trypanosomal medication to treat the disease is shown.

VOICEOVER (in English): "Chagas disease is spread by a bug called the Triatomine bug, also known as the kissing bug, which carries a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi." "The infected bug then bites humans around the eyes or mouth, breaking into the skin." "Initial symptoms of Chagas disease include fever, body aches, headaches, rashes etc, however the American Heart Association released a warning saying around 60- 70 percent of people do not develop any symptoms of the disease." "The disease can only be treated with anti-trypanosomal medication." SOURCES: ABC News, CDC, American Heart Association, Forbes, Fox News, https://abcnews.go.com/Health/small-bugs-big-problems-insects-bite-lead-heart/story?id=57411091 https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/detailed.html https://newsroom.heart.org/news/chagas-disease-caused-by-a-parasite-has-spread-outside-of-latin-america-and-carries-a-high-risk-of-heart-disease?preview=1484 https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/08/24/kissing-bugs-how-you-can-get-heart-disease-from-a-bite/#71f3f48752ad http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/08/24/blood-sucking-kissing-bugs-spreading-dangerous-parasitic-disease-in-us-health-officials-warn.html *** For story suggestions please contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw For technical and editorial support, please contact: Asia: +61 2 93 73 1841 Europe: +44 20 7542 7599 Americas and Latam: +1 800 738 8377