Warning for those in Mexico–Gorgeous Insect, Gory Results
Have you seen this stunning insect? In the rainy season in Mexico you see them all over the place and they really are show stoppers.
They are also life stoppers, carriers of the particularly nasty, deadly and largely untreatable condition called chagas. Check out this link.
The link comes from Mexico Bob. If you live in Mexico (and even if you don’t but have the slightest interest in the country), this is a must place in your reader, a superlative blog.
My research site is in the Bolivian Yungas, where Chagas (and the vinchuca) is endemic. Chagas is a critical health threat (and virtually ignored by the world health community) but it should be pointed out not one likely to affect TRAVELLERS to Mexico.
If you live in a region where vinchuchas are present, esp. if you live in an adobe house, you should consider a good inspection and possibly, fumigation. The bugs are pretty big, so they are at least easy to spot.
Thanks for this, Brooke.
Another comment. I reacted to this in part because I see dozens of vinchuca every morning in the hills above my house. Half of them seem to be mating! They are so glorious to look at that I have considered collecting them and bringing them home in jars. That I suspect is not such a great idea.
But I am sure you are right that the average traveler to Mexico is not likely to be affected.
I really look forward to hearing more about your research (not primarily on Chagas but on government, I take it).