Bug Found South of Expected Range: A New Threat for Paraguay

You know those creepy-crawly bugs that hang out in nests and shelters? Some of them even make palm trees their home. But a few of these bugs, known as triatomines, can be a real pain for humans. They're the ones that carry a nasty disease called Chagas. Recently, scientists found one of these bugs in a place called Concepción in northeastern Paraguay. They collected it during a check for bugs that spread diseases. Guess what? It tested positive for the Chagas-causing parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. The bug was identified as Rhodnius stali, which is a type of triatomine. This is a big deal because it's the first time this specific bug has been found naturally infected with the parasite in Paraguay. Plus, it's the southernmost place this bug has been spotted with the parasite so far. This discovery is a wake-up call for health officials. They need to keep an eye out for this particular triatomine species in their future efforts to control and monitor disease-carrying bugs.