Chagas disease in Switzerland: managing an emerging infection and interrupting its transmission
Jackson, Y.; Chappuis, F.ço.; Loutan, L.
Revue Medicale Suisse 4(157): 1212-1214; 1216-1217
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 18561827 Document Number: 620507
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic infection endemic in Latin America. The late onset chronic complications can be fatal. Several cases have been recently diagnosed in Switzerland, where systematic screening of groups at risk should be implemented. Considering the variable transmission patterns, screening strategies should be adapted to the different groups at risk. As the vast majority of persons at risk belong to marginalized communities with limited access to care, systematic screening and treatment of infected individuals represent a major challenge in order to interrupt the congenital transmission and improve the long-term prognosis.