Today is World Chagas Disease Day. This celebration, the second in history, takes place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations around the world, including people affected by Chagas disease. Patients who have heart conditions caused by Chagas disease could be at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19.

Considered by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 neglected tropical diseases, Chagas disease affects approximately 6 million people, mainly in Latin America – yet it has spread in recent …

Chagas disease affects approximately six million people, mainly in Latin America. The disease can be silent for decades until it may become fatal, leading to cardiovascular complications in up to 30% of patients. Like other neglected tropical diseases, Chagas disease often affects poor and marginalized communities.

For the second time in history, the global community officially celebrated World Chagas Disease Day in April 2021 to bring the disease to people’s attention. Discover the stories of people affected by Chagas disease.

Photographer Ana Ferreira travelled to Bolivia, …