A Parasitic Bug Has Been Spotted Throughout Indiana And Its Bite Can Be Deadly
There’s a deadly, parasitic bug that’s been spotted in Indiana, and you need to know about it. It comes in the night and it can kill you with its poop.
This thing is no joke. Fevers, rashes, and possible strokes can be caused by this bug’s dangerous bite. Scroll on to learn more.
The Centers for Disease Control have reported the spread of a deadly pest known as the kissing bug. Though it has a charming name, locking lips with this bloodsucker could be the kiss of death.
Also known as triatomine bugs, these parasitic critters transmit a disease known as Chagas. They can pass it to humans and pets by biting the skin and then defecating in the wound. Those infected may be left with a fever, rash, swelling, and fatigue. More serious side effects include a stroke or heart failure.
This pesky, parasitic bug is most active at night and is often found around woodpiles, underneath decks, and near other shaded areas with wood. Triatomine bugs are identified by their dark exoskeletons that are sometimes fringed with orange or red.
So far, this potentially deadly bug has been spotted throughout more than half of America. It is typically only found in Latin America and southern portions of the United States, but the warm weather and excessive rains this season may be bringing them further north.
Because the kissing bug likes to strike at night, it often gets people when they are sleeping, so you may not know for sure that you've been bitten. If you suspect that you may be infected, it is important to see a doctor right away to begin treatment before symptoms worsen.
This parasitic bug is known as the kissing bug because it often bites people on the face. It can enter a person's body through the eyes, nose, or mouth, so these are the best places to check on you or your child for signs of Chagas.
The majority of these kissing bugs are being spotted in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, but a few have been reported in the Midwest, so keep your eyes peeled for these suckers. Just don't let them get in.
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
