To prevent Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), attention must be paid to reducing risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Affected mainly the rural population, aid workers.
General exposure prophylaxis
- Avoid endemic areas with particularly high pathogen prevalence (pathogen frequency)
- Avoid bites by mosquitoes by covering the whole body clothing and use of repellents, impregnated mosquito nets – predatory bugs usually bite at night.
- Chemoprophylaxis is not recommended
- After an infection should quickly see a doctor
Prophylaxis
- Education of the population
- Improvement of living conditions
- Control of vectors in endemic areas (removal or insecticide treatment of thatched roofs, cracks in walls and floors).
- Treat infected pets
- Screening of blood donors (from endemic areas).
