Kissing bugs, more commonly known as triatomine bugs, feed on the blood of animals and people using its proboscis. As they bite, they administer an anesthetic which induces insensitivity to pain; they may also defecate close to their bite. Typically kissing bugs bite on the face, mostly around the eyes, lips, and nose, which is how they got their nickname.  

Many seem to believe that kissing bugs are an invasive species, however they are native to the Americas. They have become more prevalent because of public awareness of the Chagas disease. 

According to the website The Hill, kissing bugs have become “…increasingly recognized because of frequent encounters with humans in domestic and peridomestic habitat and increased research attention.” 

Kissing bugs have become so dangerous because they tend to carry Chagas disease. The findings of scientists at Texas A&M University state that 50% of kissing bugs carry the disease.  

This disease comes from the parasite Trypanosoma Cruiz; they attract it by feeding the blood of mammals that have previously been infected. The parasite is contracted through the bug feces, so if they defecate around the bite site, or a person touches it, then proceeds to touch their eyes or mouth, they can become infected.  

When infected by Chagas Disease after the first few weeks or months you may start to notice mild symptoms which is also known as the acute phase. According to the CDC, those symptoms include; fever, feeling tired, body aches, headaches, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and eyelid swelling.  

The chronic phase can lead to severe health problems; about 20-30% of those that are infected will get to this stage. This phase can last up to years or in more serious cases a lifetime. Many people don’t experience symptoms at this time, but health problems such as heart and digestive issues can start to appear. 

Although cases have been reported in West Virginia, the transmission of the disease locally is low. Senior, Dacodah Roche says, “I’m not worried about them because they aren’t very popular around Weirton.”