The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a potentially deadly condition could become an endemic illness in the U.S.

A parasitic infection called Chagas disease is transmitted through an insect known as the “kissing bug.” It got its name because it usually bites people’s faces, close to the lips.

The disease is caused by a parasite found in the feces of the bug. Chagas disease can cause chronic problems and even death.

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People often ignore the initial symptoms, such as flu-like illness and rash, or they don’t experience any. A heart attack or stroke may be the first time you learn you have the fairly rare parasitic infection that often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Although pets can also be carriers, Chagas disease is not transmitted from animals or from other people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 100 million people are considered at-risk of being infected.

The CDC defines endemic as the constant presence/usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area.

While Chagas disease is considered endemic to 21 countries in the Americas, it is not currently considered endemic in the U.S. The CDC argues that should change due to increasing cases in the U.S

“A lot of people get infected when they’re little children, very, very young, and it can stay dormant for 30, 40, 50 years, and then manifest itself as premature heart-related issues,” said Dr. Suman Radhakrishna, an infectious disease specialist with Dignity Health California Hospital.

Radhakrishna says Chagas disease can lead to heart attacks, stroke and difficulty swallowing. Of the 300,000 infections nationally, researchers say California has about a third of those cases. Los Angeles County now tests for Chagas disease and collects data. Most of the infections occurred in other countries.

Radhakrishna said infections are treated with anti-parasitic medications. The longer you have it, the more difficult it is to manage and treat.

“If you catch them early on, and you treat them, then they don’t go on to complications,” Radhakrishna said.