Mad as a Bat!

Did you know that over 18 million people! in Central- and South-America suffers from a parasitic disease that there is practically no cure or treatment for. Lifespan of those infected are at best 10-20 more years. Eventually the inner organs or heart will fail.

“Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi which is transmitted by blood-sucking bugs of the Triatominae subfamily. These bugs are only found in South America.

The disease has a treatment, but only if given immediately after infection, and with many adverse side effects. After that, there is no treatment and no cure. Over 18 million people in the continent are currently infected. The disease can be fatal and often leads to severely debilitating lesions of the vital organs, especially the heart and intestinal tract. (Source: Sumitomo Chemical)“

Since it is mostly poor people that are affected by this disease, the pharmaceutical industry hasn’t been very enthusiastic so far about funding research to find treatment, cures or vaccines.

The good news is that NASA is now helping develop a possible cure by taking research into space where the no gravity conditions will make a great difference in the success and time it will take to find a cure. Read more about the NASA project here.