First large-scale survey of Chagas disease in the United States confirms that the 'silent killer' is a major public health challenge for the country

A study of almost 5,000 Latin American-born residents of Los Angeles County found that 1.24 percent tested positive for Chagas disease, a parasitic infection that can cause life-threatening heart damage if not treated early. Chagas disease is one of the leading causes of heart failure in Latin America.