Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted to humans by reduviid (triatomine) bugs at night while the person is asleep. Simple environmental changes can help reduce the transmission, especially in rural settings. The authors are from Columbia University in New York and Ciudad Universitaria in Buenos Aires.
Enviromental changes that can reduce the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi:
(1) Exclude domestic animals, especially infected dogs, from bedrooms.
(2) Remove potential refuges for bugs from walls and ceilings.
(3) Use domestically applied insecticides periodically.
The reduviid bugs cease to develop and feed when the temperature is below 16-18°C. This is associated with a decrease in transmission to humans during the fall and winter (April to August).
Reduviid bugs will preferentially feed on a dog, with 1 dog is as attractive as 3 humans for feeding. Keeping 2 infected dogs indoors optimizes disease transmission to humans. More dogs divert insect feeding to dogs, while 1 dog represents a lower reservoir for infection.
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