World Chagas Disease Day
April 14
About World Chagas Disease Day
World Chagas Disease Day is observed on 14 April each year, raising global awareness about Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, the day highlights the urgent need for early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a disease that affects an estimated 6 to 7 million people worldwide, predominantly in Latin America.
What is World Chagas Disease Day?
World Chagas Disease Day is an international health observance coordinated by the WHO to bring attention to Chagas disease, often called the “silent and silenced disease” because the majority of those infected show no symptoms or only extremely mild ones in the early stages. The day promotes awareness among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public about the disease’s transmission, symptoms, and available treatments. It also advocates for greater investment in research, diagnostics, and healthcare access for affected populations, many of whom live in poverty and lack access to routine medical care.
When is World Chagas Disease Day?
World Chagas Disease Day is observed on 14 April every year. In 2026, it falls on Tuesday, 14 April. The date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1909 when Brazilian physician Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas diagnosed the first human case of the disease in a young girl named Berenice Soares de Moura.
Why World Chagas Disease Day Matters
Chagas disease is one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases. An estimated 10,000 people die from it every year, and more than 100 million people are at risk of acquiring the infection. The disease is transmitted primarily through the faeces of triatomine bugs (known as “kissing bugs”), which bite humans at night. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food, blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and from mother to child during pregnancy.
Without treatment, Chagas disease can cause severe cardiac and digestive complications decades after the initial infection. Approximately 30% of chronically infected people develop cardiac disorders, and up to 10% develop digestive, neurological, or mixed alterations. The disease disproportionately affects poor and marginalised communities, and the WHO classifies it as a neglected tropical disease because it receives insufficient attention and funding relative to its global burden. For those interested in other global health observances, World Health Day on 7 April also draws attention to pressing health challenges.
How to Get Involved in World Chagas Disease Day
Here are meaningful ways to support the fight against Chagas disease:
- Learn about Chagas disease — Educate yourself about the disease’s transmission, symptoms, and treatment through the WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Understanding the disease is the first step toward supporting those affected.
- Share information on social media — Use the hashtags #WorldChagasDay and #BeatNTDs to spread awareness. Many people, including healthcare professionals outside endemic regions, remain unfamiliar with Chagas disease.
- Support neglected tropical disease research — Donate to organisations like DNDi, the WHO, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which fund research into better diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies for Chagas disease.
- Advocate for policy change — Call on your government to support the WHO’s road map for neglected tropical diseases, which aims to reduce the burden of Chagas disease through improved screening, treatment access, and vector control programmes.
- Get tested if you are at risk — If you have lived in or travelled extensively in rural areas of Latin America, consider requesting a Chagas disease test from your healthcare provider. Early diagnosis allows for treatment before serious complications develop.
- Attend or host an awareness event — Universities, hospitals, and public health organisations often host lectures, webinars, or information sessions around 14 April. Participate in or organise events in your community.
- Support blood screening programmes — Advocate for universal Chagas disease screening of blood donations and organ transplants in countries where the disease is present or where migrant populations from endemic regions live.
History of World Chagas Disease Day
The disease itself was first described by Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas in 1909, making it one of the few diseases named after the doctor who discovered it rather than a patient or location. Dr. Chagas not only identified the disease but also described the parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi, named after his mentor Oswaldo Cruz), the insect vector (triatomine bugs), and the clinical manifestations — an extraordinary achievement in the history of tropical medicine.
Despite being known for over a century, Chagas disease long remained overlooked by the global health community. Advocacy efforts intensified in the 2000s and 2010s, led by organisations including the WHO, DNDi, and patient advocacy groups. On 24 May 2019, the Seventy-second World Health Assembly approved the designation of 14 April as World Chagas Disease Day, and the first observance took place on 14 April 2020.
The establishment of the day was a milestone for the Chagas disease community, providing an annual platform to raise awareness, combat stigma, and advocate for the resources needed to bring the disease under control. The WHO’s road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030 includes targets for interrupting transmission of Chagas disease and expanding access to treatment.
Noteworthy Facts About Chagas Disease
- Chagas disease affects an estimated 6 to 7 million people worldwide, with the majority of cases in 21 countries of Latin America.
- Approximately 10,000 people die from Chagas disease each year, and more than 100 million people are at risk of infection.
- The disease was discovered in 1909 by Dr. Carlos Chagas, who identified the parasite, the insect vector, and the clinical manifestations — an unprecedented accomplishment in infectious disease research.
- Chagas disease has spread beyond Latin America due to migration, with cases now reported in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
- Only about 10% of people infected with Chagas disease are diagnosed, and fewer than 1% of those diagnosed receive treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Chagas Disease Day?
World Chagas Disease Day is an annual WHO observance on 14 April that raises awareness about Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of people, primarily in Latin America. The day promotes early diagnosis, treatment access, and prevention.
When is World Chagas Disease Day in 2026?
World Chagas Disease Day falls on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
How is Chagas disease transmitted?
Chagas disease is transmitted primarily through the faeces of infected triatomine bugs (“kissing bugs”) that bite humans at night. It can also spread through contaminated food, blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and from mother to child during pregnancy.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing World Chagas Disease Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #WorldChagasDay and #BeatNTDs on social media. Greater awareness is essential to securing the funding and political commitment needed to tackle this overlooked disease.
Related Awareness Days
- World Health Day — Observed on 7 April, this WHO-led day focuses on a specific global health priority each year.
- World Malaria Day — Held on 25 April, raising awareness about another parasitic disease that disproportionately affects tropical regions.
- World Haemophilia Day — Observed on 17 April, highlighting blood disorders and the importance of access to treatment and care.
Links
- Visit the official WHO World Chagas Disease Day page
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) — Chagas disease
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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