The UK Chagas Hub is a collaboration that brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and members of the Latin American community to tackle Chagas disease in the United Kingdom and contribute to global efforts to eliminate it.
Chagas, often described as a silent killer due to its tendency to cause advanced cardiomyopathy before symptoms appear, affects 7 million people worldwide. It is endemic in South America, Central America, and Mexico (though not in the Caribbean), particularly in rural areas, and causes 12,000 deaths annually.
Global population movements have led to migrants from Latin America with chronic infections, acquired decades earlier, relocating to non-endemic countries in Europe, where awareness of the infection is limited.
The Hub focuses on three main activities:
- Raising awareness of Chagas among the Latin American community in the UK and the health professionals working with them.
- Improving clinical services for those with or at risk of Chagas.
- Conducting research into the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of the disease.
The Hub is a member of the London Centre for NTD Research and the Global Chagas Coalition, an open and collaborative alliance that shares experience, knowledge, and capacity for action to alleviate human suffering caused by Chagas.
We facilitate a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) advisory group of Latin Americans to ensure Hub activities remain rooted in the priorities of people at risk of infection. People living with or affected by Chagas, family members, and other members of the public from Latin American countries are welcome to join the Hub.
If you are interested, please read the PPI leaflet and contact us for further information.
We have developed information resources for healthcare professionals, the general public who might be interested in getting tested (available in English and Spanish), and for patients receiving treatment for Chagas Disease (in both English and Spanish).
Our YouTube channel has helpful resources for the public and healthcare professionals.
The HTD provides diagnostic and treatment services in a dedicated Chagas clinic run by a Spanish-speaking Consultant. For referrals of patients where the disease is suspected, visit the Information for doctors page on our website.
For advice and guidance on the healthcare needs of at-risk Latin American migrants for healthcare practitioners, see the PHE Chagas Disease: Migrant Health Guide.
For further information on the UK Chagas Hub, check out our social media channels:
Or email us at ukchagashub
