San Diego County Reports First Locally Transmitted Chagas Case

San Diego County Public Health Department announced that it had confirmed the region’s first locally acquired case of Chagas disease. According to the department, the infection was identified through routine screening of blood donations from an asymptomatic donor. The donor showed no symptoms and the parasite was detected during laboratory testing.

Dr. Sayone Thihalilopavan, the department’s epidemiologist, said the case will be entered into the county’s reportable disease list. Health officials indicated that surveillance measures will be intensified to monitor potential further transmission.