Chagas disease was named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, the Brazilian doctor who diagnosed the first case on April 14, 1909. The Trypanosoma cruzi parasite is typically transmitted to humans through the faeces of infected triatomine bugs or by consuming food or drinks contaminated with the parasite. Additionally, the parasite can be transmitted from a mother to a child during pregnancy or childbirth, or through the transfusion of infected blood and the transplantation of infected organs. 

Chagas disease is often referred to as a “silent and silenced disease” since the majority of infected individuals show no symptoms or only extremely mild symptoms. However, if left untreated, the disease can progress to a chronic stage, leading to serious complications, including death. Chagas disease is prevalent in Latin America, but it can also be found in other regions, including the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Key Objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate Chagas disease as a public health problem by 2030. Here are the key objectives for celebrating World Chagas Day:

• To Raise Awareness: Increase awareness about Chagas disease, its transmission, symptoms, and impact. This also involves educating families, patients, and healthcare workers about the need for early diagnosis and lifelong follow-up. Raising awareness about Chagas disease is crucial for improving early detection, treatment, and comprehensive care for those affected.
• To promote action: Prevent, control, and treat Chagas disease. The celebration of World Chagas Day emphasizes the importance of early detection and comprehensive care to prevent new infections and alleviate the impact of the disease. It also fosters global cooperation among parties in developing effective strategies and interventions.
• To Support Affected Communities: World Chagas Day advocates for access to healthcare services for everyone affected by the disease. It also promotes increased financing, research, and supportive policies in the fight against Chagas disease.

The Global Chagas Coalition

The Global Chagas Coalition is a collaborative alliance consisting of over 20 private and public entities, including research institutions, foundations, and organizations from the global health community. Notable members include DNDi, the Mundo Sano Foundation, ISGlobal, the CEADES Foundation, and Baylor College. The Coalition's objective is to improve access to diagnosis and treatment for patients with Chagas disease while also stimulating innovation and promoting global efforts to develop new tools to combat the disease. On World Chagas Disease Day, member organizations of the Global Chagas Coalition share and encourage the adoption of six commitments aimed at accelerating action to help eliminate the disease. These commitments include:

• Increasing access to comprehensive care.
• Increasing investment in Research and Development (R&D).
• Enhancing support for surveillance, control, and monitoring of cases.
• Providing more training and awareness-raising for healthcare personnel and at-risk communities.
• Strengthening health systems to ensure that care pathways are implemented effectively and that affected individuals are integrated into these systems.
• Raising visibility and disseminating information about Chagas disease in various social contexts.

World Chagas Disease Day serves as a crucial reminder for us to collaborate in raising awareness and making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the disease. Since the 1990s, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and local health authorities in endemic countries have been active in strengthening control programs and reducing disease transmission. The theme for the 2025 celebration, "Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s Role in Chagas Disease," highlights the importance of public awareness and funding for early detection and care initiatives.

REFERENCE

Information from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-chagas-disease-day/2025, https://world-heart-federation.org/news/world-chagas-disease-day-2025-six-commitments-against-chagas-disease/ and https://coalicionchagas.org/en/the-chagas-coalition/ was used in this story