Prevention of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)

Learn how Chagas disease can be prevented.

How can Chagas disease be prevented?

There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Chagas disease.

If you travel to an area where Chagas disease occurs, you should take the proper precautions. Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you leave.

You can protect yourself from bug bites by following the precautions below.

• Avoid sleeping:
  • outdoors
  • in poorly-built houses made from mud or thatch
• Sleep under a bed net treated with insecticide if you must sleep outdoors.
• Practise safe food and water precautions.
• Avoid getting blood transfusions and organ transplants in areas where Chagas disease is found.

Emergencies can happen while travelling, and you may need a blood transfusion or organ transplant. If this is the case, confirm that the donated blood or organ has been tested for Chagas disease. If you cannot confirm this testing, and it is not an emergency, return home for treatment.