J. Okray, Photoist - Bolivia Articles

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Chagas disease is an often lethal parasitic disease found predominantly in South American countries and is spreading in the United States, threatening thousands of lives because there is no cure or vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 300,000 people in the U.S. have Chagas, an illness that leads to heart failure. This number is based on blood donor tests and immigration records because there is currently no federal regulation for any testing. "I would say it is probably in that range," said Dr. David Engman, professor of pathology and microbiology at Northwestern University. "If anything, I would say it may be an underestimate because, if you are an illegal immigrant, you may not want to donate blood because they register you." Engman said the incidence of the illness among blood donors does not necessarily reflect the population at large and immigration records are not likely to have records regarding Chagas. Since 2007, the CDC reports 65 percent of U.S. blood banks have been testing for Chagas, though it’s not required. CDC has confirmed 1,200 positive cases in units of blood to date, making the risk of being infected from a blood transfusion low. However, Engman said there is "still a lot of contaminated blood out there." Chagas is caused by a parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, and is transmitted primarily from the "kissing bug," blood or organ transfers and breast milk. T. cruzi lives in the digestive systems of the insects and is transmitted to humans through contact with the insect's feces, not bites. It is diagnosed through a simple blood test. T.cruzi causes a substantial disease burden in the U.S. according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The society estimates 30,000-45,000 cardiomyopathy cases and 63-315 congenital infections occur annually in the U.S. because of Chagas. Approximately 30 percent of those infected will develop Chagas-caused heart problems such as swelling of the heart. It can take years for these symptoms to appear. Eventual death results without treatments including pacemakers, valve replacement or a transplant. There is little that can be done once a person is infected, except in some acute, immediate onset cases of transmission to children. In these instances, a drug called benznidazole has been successful. This drug is not suitable for adults because of side effects and lower success rates of usage, according to Engman. He said it is a dangerous drug shown to cause lymphoma in rats. A small percentage of those who develop Chagas may experience digestive or neurological problems. In most cases, there are no immediate symptoms for Chagas, except for swelling in the area of transmission in acute cases. The best way to prevent infection is to wash raw fruits and vegetables, especially if they are from South America or Mexico. If traveling to affected areas, Engman cautions to use plenty of insect repellent and bring bug nets for sleeping.
Juan Hinojosa, executive director of Solidarity Bridge. "If I hadn’t gotten this help, I’d already be underground," said Crisostomo Riveral Pasa, as grateful tears run down his face. "My kids would be on the streets." He is one of thousands of Bolivians whose lives were saved by Solidarity Bridge, a nonprofit medical mission in Evanston, Ill. Pasa and his family are in Bolivia but he shares his story on a video. Solidarity Bridge strives to heal and empower the poor by creating and supporting a network that provides health care to Bolivians in greatest need. "It’s not just something we choose to do, but something we ought to do," said Juan Lorenzo Hinojosa, executive director of Solidarity Bridge. At least four times a year, Hinojosa brings a team of medical professionals, donations, volunteers and medical supplies to the Bolivian cities of: Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and Tarija. "It was a very eye-opening and spirit filled journey for me," said Kristen Skoch, a registered nurse who accompanied a two-week mission last year. She said the focus was not on money, but on helping people. "It reminded me of why I became a nurse in the first place." Solidarity Bridge works in collaboration with hospitals and programs already operating in the Bolivian cities. The assistance empowers Bolivian doctors to help their own people, which has many advantages, according to Hinojosa. "It is better because it honors human dignity," he said. "People have a lot to give and we can help them help others." Patients pay what they can for the necessary services or devices such as glasses, heart valves, pacemakers and surgeries. Hinojosa said always charging a fee allows the people to maintain their pride and appreciate the help. Since its inception 10 years ago, the organization has given $3.6 million in in-kind services, performed almost 2,000 surgeries, delivered nearly $11 million in medical equipment and supplies, and helped over 37,000 patients. The largest program Solidarity Bridge incorporates is heart health. Last year alone, the organization provided 28 open heart surgeries and implanted 124 pacemakers. Heart failure affects people of all ages in Bolivia because of a parasitic disease called Chagas. Doctors Without Borders estimates more than 10 percent of Bolivians have Chagas – the highest rate in the world. Lethal heart problems arise in 20-30 percent of those infected, sometimes decades after transmission. "We’ve implanted a total of 800-900 pacemakers," said Hinojosa. "Of those, I’d say 90 percent are because of Chagas disease." The parasitic illness, transmitted primarily by insects, causes the heart to swell until the person suffers cardiac arrest. Many people die of the disease without knowledge of being infected. Symptoms can take years to develop making diagnosis difficult. Solidarity Bridge hopes to expand its work to neighboring countries and is currently discussing collaboration with a hospital in Peru. For more information, visit www.solidaritybridge.org.