Risk factors

The following factors may increase your risk of getting Chagas disease:

• Living in poor rural areas of Central America, South America and Mexico
• Living in a residence that contains triatomine bugs
• Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a person who carries the infection

It's rare for travelers to the at-risk areas in South America, Central America and Mexico to catch Chagas disease because travelers tend to stay in well-constructed buildings, such as hotels. Triatomine bugs are usually found in structures built with mud or adobe or thatch.